12 Ways To Calm The Overactive Mind (2)
Read the first part of the article
6. Exercise or, even better, do Hatha Yoga
They say a healthy body is a healthy mind, so if you are physically able to, then find ways to integrate exercise, or, even better, Hatha Yoga practice, into your daily routine.
7. Escape time
On your day(s) off, learn how to escape time. Time keeps us locked into the constructs of the “work week” so on your day off, don’t look at your cell phone, don’t watch TV (TV is all scheduled on “time”) and just “wing it” in regard to any activities for that day. Try not to place any time constraints on this particular day’s activities.
By escaping time, you are also getting away from the matrix that keeps us all entrapped as economic slaves to the system, so this will help to eliminate the overactive mind’s thought process by giving it one less thing to think about.
The next time you have a week vacation, try listening to your body as to when to go to sleep for the entire week. If you feel like taking a nap at 3PM, do it! Stay up as late as you want and go to bed when your body tells you that it is time to sleep. You’ll find that you will be able to fall asleep easier and much faster when you listen to your body.
8. Have fun!
Start doing things that you truly enjoy to do. Let your mind focus on fun instead of trivial items that are out of your ability to control. You’ll find that your thought patterns will change drastically when you are doing things you enjoy.
9. Release the need to control everything
Many people with overactive minds have the need to remain in control of most everything in their lives. It is very difficult for a controlling person to relinquish control because they might feel that if they do not have control over their circumstances, then they have no control over themselves, which is not true.
Events will come and go whether you control them or not. All you need to be is responsible for your own actions. When you begin to start controlling other people, you are creating more things to be concerned about which in turn will feed the overactive mind.
10. Start a journal and/or dream diary
One way to release the constant flow of thoughts is to start a journal or dream diary. By simply putting it in writing, you can provide yourself with a simple outlet to help eliminate the clutter in your mind.
11. Live in the “now”
The overactive mind is constantly thinking about the past or future. By living in the now you will be able to release that of which you cannot control. This doesn’t mean that you instantly become unaware of what has happened or what is about to happen. It is more of a realization that the past cannot change and the future hasn’t occurred, so why waste time thinking about either?
12. Connect with nature
Find the time to connect with nature, whether it’s taking a long walk in the woods or at the beach or where ever brings you inner peace while being immersed in nature. While in nature, try not to think about “every day life” and simply appreciate what nature provides. Try listening to the cadence of the wind or from a babbling brook. What animal or bird sounds do you hear?
Here’s an inspirational story:
The Elephant and the Fly
A disciple and his teacher were walking through the forest. The disciple was disturbed by the fact that his mind was in constant unrest.
He asked his teacher: “Why most people’s minds are restless, and only a few possess a calm mind? What can one do to still the mind?”
The teacher looked at the disciple, smiled and said: “I will tell you a story. An elephant was standing and picking leaves from a tree. A small fly came, flying and buzzing near his ear. The elephant waved it away with his long ears. Then the fly came again, and the elephant waved it away once more.
This was repeated several times. Then the elephant asked the fly: ‘Why are you so restless and noisy? Why can’t you stay for a while in one place?’
The fly answered: ‘I am attracted to whatever I see, hear or smell. My five senses, and everything that happens around me, pull me constantly in all directions, and I cannot resist them. What is your secret? How can you stay so calm and still?’
The elephant stopped eating and said: ‘My five senses do not rule my attention. I am in control of my attention, and I can direct it wherever I want. This helps me to get immersed in whatever I do, and therefore, keep my mind focused and calm. Now that I am eating, I am completely immersed in eating. In this way, I can enjoy my food and chew it better. I control my attention, and not the other way around, and this helps me stay peaceful.’
Upon hearing these words, the disciple’s eyes opened wide, and a smile appeared on his face. He looked at his teacher and said: ‘I understand! My mind will be in constant unrest, if my five senses, and whatever is happening in the world around me are in control of it. On the other hand, if I am in command of my five senses, able to disregard sense impressions, my mind would become calm, and I will be able to disregard its restlessness.’
‘Yes, that’s right’, answered the teacher, ‘The mind is restless and goes wherever the attention is. Control your attention, and you control your mind’.”
Balance
An overactive mind is a sign of imbalance and can be corrected but one must want to see the change within themselves in order for this to occur. There is a saying: “As within, so without”. If your body needs rest, then so does your mind. If your mind is constantly processing activities, events and possible scenarios, it will resist sleep by continuing this process, despite your body telling you that you are tired. This is why it is so important to listen to your body.
By eliminating the clutter, you will find that in the worst case scenario, you will continue using your overactive mind in a positive way without fear or the need to control others. You will also have an increased sense of intuition, an easier time falling asleep and your dreams will become more lucid.
yogaesoteric
December 16, 2017