When I think of insights which helped me have a better view of the world, one in particular stands out. That is, that I try to view my life as a comedy. Every event and interaction, whether positive or negative, I find humour in. As someone who struggles deeply with decision making, I made a rule: to pick the option which has more potential to be funnier, with the exception being when I need to prioritise my health. This has allowed me to move through life in an observatory, detached manner, letting life flow through me, while laughing at both the funny moments and misfortunes.
This year, I have gravitated towards activities and techniques which strengthen the mind- body connection. Specifically, I began to learn Kalari, an ancient Indian martial art. Through this practice, my body was able to unlock new movements which my mind initially felt it couldn’t do. It also allowed me to move while fixing my gaze onto one spot. I am amazed at the benefits I feel from regular, disciplined practice. I have a heightened sense of awareness of my body, in relation to my thought patterns and the surrounding environment. Attending classes in the morning anchors me to the present, and I try to maintain this throughout the day.
Alongside this, I started neurofeedback and biofeedback sessions. In the former, I was able to identify regions in my brain which were overly active, compromising my ability to process, make decisions and organise my day. I discovered this coincided with a worryingly high heart rate of 100 bpm, which was brought down by deep, diaphragmatic breathing with longer exhales. Through these practices, I am learning to retrain my mind and body to recognise and regulate the flight or fight response, which I seemed to frequently be in as a natural state. I realise that so much of the time, my high functioning anxiety is driven by ignoring natural signs from my body to slow down. I counteract this by sitting with the feeling, and embracing stillness and awareness.
Overall, I think that many practices, such as life philosophies, meditation techniques, yoga, book groups and therapy all share the same goal, of rooting in the present via the mind body connection. I think it is empowering to know that you can make choices through disciplined continuation and exploration of these activities to rewire your brain. Through these practices, I feel enriched in my own wellbeing, as well as during my interactions with others.
By Emma Williams, from England