In the absence of real stress, do people generate undue stress by exaggerating the trivial?
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Posted By: Janet Jackson on September 24, 2019 Exaggerating the trivial is common for many of us. It comes in the form of worry. I have done it multiple times, especially when our kids were small. I feared something would happen to them, which kept me over thinking a trivial act, like when they ride their bikes with friends. I worried with exaggerated thoughts. They could get hit by a car; or fall under peer pressure doing something they aren’t supposed to do. Today, social media has many people exaggerating the trivial. They worry when they don’t get likes after posting a photo on Instagram. Their minds spin whispering to them: “People don’t like the photo.” “I don’t have friends.” “No one likes me.” “I wish I was popular.” If you over-exaggerate the trivial, don’t beat yourself up. Know that it’s the mind’s job is to protect you. That’s why it’s always on high alert, even over trivial things. Our mind reminds us of something that went wrong in the past, and something terrible may happen in the future. When it’s unchecked, the mind ruminates. Oftentimes you may get frustrated because you can’t stop the rampage of thoughts that will not let you rest. Cursing that wonderful mechanism, only spins you into more frustration, anger, and stress. You can’t stop the 60,000 thoughts, or more we have a day. Many are the same thoughts. However, you can stop yourself from being pulled into the "story" of your thoughts, which creates toxic emotions. I learned to stop overthinking in my life by practicing Mindfulness. Here is how: Stop and notice the thoughts that may be flooding your mind. Allow your thoughts to come, and allow them to go. Try not to analyze, judge, criticize or suppress them. They're just energy. Welcome your thoughts. It doesn’t mean you have to act on them. However, fighting your thoughts does not work. Simply observe them. They can help you to know yourself better. When thoughts come up and seem to flood your mind, you can simply say to yourself very slowly, “thinking, thinking, thinking.” Name your thoughts, “home thoughts,” “work thoughts,” “angry thoughts,” or “happy thoughts. You can see your thoughts as clouds floating across your mind which is like the blue sky. You may have to do this over, and over, but you will notice which thoughts are something that you can act on to resolve a situation, or which ones you have no control over and should just let go. Hope this helps. Love, light, and blessings. If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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Janet Jackson
Transformational Mindfulness Speaker-Teacher, Self Awreness Trainings, LLC San Jose St Univ class of Member Since July 2008 |
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