Are You Thinking Too Much?

Thats a bit of a short title in a lame kind of way isnt it. I mean, of course were all thinking way too much! In fact at times our mind seems to be our worst enemy as were stuck mulling over the past, dreaming up awesome fantasies about the future and if youre like me, just obsessing stupidly over everything.

Becoming aware of our thoughts is one of the best ways to heal, including healing the skin. I notice this significantly whenever I travel.. while Im traveling I just dont have time to think about my skin, and often Im not in spaces where I get to look in the mirror so much. As a result, my skin always get so much better. Im currently living on the edge of the Andes in Peru which would have to be one of the driest climates ever, and this morning I noticed how my skin was feeling so soft and looking so clear. I honestly feel it’s because I just haven’t been thinking about it (on top of washing less and using plenty of oils!!).

But you dont need to be traveling around like me to take your mind off your skin, there are a few other things you can do.

Ive tried many times to still my mind or stop thinking about something that Im not wanting to think about without any techniques but it has never worked. In my opinion a much better way to change the way were thinking is to replace the thought with something else. Its kind of like a brain worm.. you know, when you get a song going around and around in your head and you cant get rid of it? Well the best technique Ive found to get rid of a brain worm is to replace it with a reset song. My reset song is a fairly ordinary tune that just doesnt seem to be able to get stuck in my head. So Ill focus on my reset song until both songs dissolve. It usually only takes about five minutes.

So when we want to get rid of obsessive or unwanted thoughts, what we can do is to focus all of our intention on something else. Ideally you want to make this something else something that youre feeling quite happy and light about. This new thought can be something that youre excited about but that can be a trap too usually excitement in thoughts is from something were anticipating in the future, and thinking too much about this can possibly lead to disappointment when the actual event arises. It can also take our attention away from living in the present moment which can mean were not actually really living.

There are other things I love to do to get my mind of stuff. Exercising is a great one.. a walk doesnt really do it for me but running while listening to music or a podcast is a great one. Rock climbing is probably the best one Ive found yet. Theres something about focusing on climbing up that rock face or helping a friend with their ropes that makes everything else dissolve as I truly am living in that absolute present moment in time.

You can also seek out some great teachers that give techniques and explanations on how to still the mind. Eckhart Tolle of course is probably the most famous and you can pick up any of his books from most new or second hand book stores on or offline.

Silent meditation retreats are great too. The first time I did a silent meditation retreat I was so scared about not talking for a few days, I wasn’t sure I’d actually be able to do it! But as each day passed on the retreat the quieter my mind became and the happier I was. I actually didn’t particularly want to talk again when the retreat ended, and this has been a similar experience for many. If you don’t want to do a retreat you can try having a silent day one a week or once a fornight. I have an old housemate that used to do this and we’d respect her space when she was having a silent day. Just remember, being truly silent means no charades, no Internet and no reading books either!

Our mind is such a powerful tool and each and every one of us are master creators of our own realities. By taking our focus OFF our poor health or problem skin then we’re utilizing probably the most powerful healing tool ever.

If you have a different technique for taking your focus off your skin or off your poor health then let us all know about it by commenting in the response box below.

Dental Resource

Helpful Information On Dentistry In Your Area