It Takes An Effort to Feel Like Your Self
We live in disturbing, modern, global times. Each year, technological advances exponentially supersede the previous year. We are continually exposed to unregulated media, distressing and harmful stories on the internet that are distributed directly to our unprotected brains. People’s need to feel connected and have strong, healthy relationships are fragmented by polarized opinions, excessive unhealthy choices, and our constant push for being busy as a demonstration of success in the western consumerism society.
Costs of Denying Our Self
We eat mass prepared foods, sit at desks both in school and at work, not moving, not exercising. The inevitable result is weight gain, lack of fitness. Our foods, processed with sugars, affect our moods, our sleep and our ability to regulate the mind and body naturally. Stressful modern lifestyles lead to anxiety, depression, aggression which connect to physical dis-ease of addictions, aches, pains, or illness.
When we deny or betray our self consciously or unconsciously, we experience negative emotions such as shame, guilt, anger, fear.
Our Emotional Experience
Developing emotional intelligence has been on our minds since Daniel Goleman popularized it in the mid-1990s. Emotionally intelligent people who have a method to express their emotions, assert their personal needs, and maintain emotional boundaries, can reduce their stress and have a positive impact on their health.
In relationships and social experiences, it is better to acknowledge our genuine needs that require satisfaction, rather than repress our need to gain acceptance and approval of others.
One of our greatest gifts as humans, is to have a wide range of emotional experiences and expressions. Emotional responses are neither right nor wrong. However, what we do with the emotional experience can be framed with wisdom.
Expressing Emotions
Learning how to better respond and express our emotions is part of the journey to adulthood. As we mature, we develop better ways to express our needs, accept our circumstances, and find outlets to celebrate and honor our experiences, even if they have not been exactly what we wanted or thought would be pleasing.
One way to start to understand your emotions is to be present to them as they arise. A meditation practice helps your mind and body become calm and, with that calmness, hear your inner voice of wisdom.
We are navigating our changing world, which has changed so much in the past decade. We spend more time on screens, big or small. My breathing is different when I spend hours looking at the computer or cellphone screen. My posture becomes slumped. The physical configuration of my hunched body restricts the breath. Sitting up straight and focusing on taking a deep breath that goes to my belly can point the breath back to a full inhale and exhale.
Feel Better
As you look for ways to help you feel better, to feel more like yourself, try limiting your time on the screen. Stand up and stretch your back and legs. Twist and move the body in different directions. Consider how your breath is while on a screen as compared to when you move. How does it feel? How do your thoughts change from one position to another?
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Great reminders indeed!
As I was reading this on my phone I was standing in the night air gently dancing in place, swaying side to side. In our visually inundated world, I am glad that phones are portable, and this piece reminded me that I can move while I type!
Yes, yes, yes, and yes. Great reminder to move the body and breath to feel more like yourself!