Image credit: www.hookairz.com
That’s what Dr. G. advised me last night.
For someone like me who is always on the go, always thinking, always doing…and a fast-talker to boot, it’s quite a challenge to “slow it down.”
And though that nugget of wisdom could be applied to virtually anything in life, we were talking about my anxiety issues (naturally).
She said if I can learn to make the conscious decision to “slow it down” — meaning pausing and slowing down between the thoughts I think, the words I speak, the behaviors I engage in — that, in time, my anxiety will wear itself down, bringing me closer to “the gray,” the space on the continuum we’re striving for (versus the poles).
I realized in last night’s session that although I wasn’t doing it consciously, during the past few weeks, I’ve already been practicing “slowing it down.”
For example, I’ve loosened up a little and granted myself permission to take rest days from the gym, or to go for a short jog and not feel guilty. I’ve enjoyed ice cream out with my husband–and even been the one to suggest it. Friends have even noticed that I’m less obsessive when we’re dining out (one commented last night even!).
And I’ve started acknowledging the “whys” when have a midnight snack, or when I semi-purge–even if I still do it, I’m at least slowing down enough to assess the “why” and work from there.
Even at Girls’ Night dinner last night following therapy, I ate with dignity . I made a concerted effort to slowly chew my food, focusing on the conversations at the table. I savored the flavors of my spinach-strawberry-chicken-balsamic-and-feta salad. Had a bite of bruschetta. And even enjoyed a few teensy nibbles of Death by Chocolate.
The old Melissa (pre-blog) would have ignored the appetizers and dessert entirely (watching others enjoy), and gone home and eaten 5 pts in private to “make up for it”.
But last night I took a moment to stop, think, and make the choice to spend those points in public.
And this morning, I did something I’ve never, ever done. I drove to the gym to work out…but when I got there, was soooo exhausted (staying up to watch the Olympics every night and waking at 5:15 caught up to me) that I gave it some thought and turned around and went back home.
This was my thinking, “I’m so tired. Tomorrow’s weigh-in. If I work out in the a.m. and p.m. I might feel compelled to eat more. I want to stick to 20 points today. So… skip the cardio and just bike tonight as planned. Go home, sleep. Rest.”
I feel awesome! For the average person this could be “an excuse.” But for me–an exercise addict–this was some serious mental progress!!
I really feel like each day I’m making new strides. I am not perfect and don’t intend to be anymore, but if I can keep building off what I’m learning–and apply it to new experiences going forward–I think I’ll keep moving in the right direction, even with the occasional blips on the radar.
Given the challenging five weeks ahead in particular, Dr. G. noted that if I can focus on “slowing it down,” I might even find myself enjoying it more than dreading it, because I’ll be putting more thought into positive things and trying to avoid conflicts, and might even nip them in the bud before they arise.
I’m not so sure yet that I will enjoy myself, but I am willing to give it a chance. I have nothing to lose really. And hey, a couple extra seconds in my life can’t hurt!
How about you? Do you find you are less anxious when you take the time to slow things down?
Image credit: www.hookairz.com
For someone like me who is always on the go, always thinking, always doing…and a fast-talker to boot, it’s quite a challenge to “slow it down.”
And though that nugget of wisdom could be applied to virtually anything in life, we were talking about my anxiety issues (naturally).
She said if I can learn to make the conscious decision to “slow it down” — meaning pausing and slowing down between the thoughts I think, the words I speak, the behaviors I engage in — that, in time, my anxiety will wear itself down, bringing me closer to “the gray,” the space on the continuum we’re striving for (versus the poles).
I realized in last night’s session that although I wasn’t doing it consciously, during the past few weeks, I’ve already been practicing “slowing it down.”
For example, I’ve loosened up a little and granted myself permission to take rest days from the gym, or to go for a short jog and not feel guilty. I’ve enjoyed ice cream out with my husband–and even been the one to suggest it. Friends have even noticed that I’m less obsessive when we’re dining out (one commented last night even!).
And I’ve started acknowledging the “whys” when have a midnight snack, or when I semi-purge–even if I still do it, I’m at least slowing down enough to assess the “why” and work from there.
Even at Girls’ Night dinner last night following therapy, I ate with dignity . I made a concerted effort to slowly chew my food, focusing on the conversations at the table. I savored the flavors of my spinach-strawberry-chicken-balsamic-and-feta salad. Had a bite of bruschetta. And even enjoyed a few teensy nibbles of Death by Chocolate.
The old Melissa (pre-blog) would have ignored the appetizers and dessert entirely (watching others enjoy), and gone home and eaten 5 pts in private to “make up for it”.
But last night I took a moment to stop, think, and make the choice to spend those points in public.
And this morning, I did something I’ve never, ever done. I drove to the gym to work out…but when I got there, was soooo exhausted (staying up to watch the Olympics every night and waking at 5:15 caught up to me) that I gave it some thought and turned around and went back home.
This was my thinking, “I’m so tired. Tomorrow’s weigh-in. If I work out in the a.m. and p.m. I might feel compelled to eat more. I want to stick to 20 points today. So… skip the cardio and just bike tonight as planned. Go home, sleep. Rest.”
I feel awesome! For the average person this could be “an excuse.” But for me–an exercise addict–this was some serious mental progress!!
I really feel like each day I’m making new strides. I am not perfect and don’t intend to be anymore, but if I can keep building off what I’m learning–and apply it to new experiences going forward–I think I’ll keep moving in the right direction, even with the occasional blips on the radar.
Given the challenging five weeks ahead in particular, Dr. G. noted that if I can focus on “slowing it down,” I might even find myself enjoying it more than dreading it, because I’ll be putting more thought into positive things and trying to avoid conflicts, and might even nip them in the bud before they arise.
I’m not so sure yet that I will enjoy myself, but I am willing to give it a chance. I have nothing to lose really. And hey, a couple extra seconds in my life can’t hurt!
How about you? Do you find you are less anxious when you take the time to slow things down?