A step towards Mental healing.

The more we try to escape from our fears and discomfort, the more we find ourselves trapped into them. 

"Am I good enough?", is a question we all have. 

But sometimes this thought of “being good enough,” rather than inspiring us, increases our self-doubt. It is the fear of not being seen by anyone, loved by anyone, or being left lonely. It might be scary to some.

I think, social media is one of the largest contributors to our negative thoughts today. My post is not about the bad effects social media is causing us, but realising with you, that people who do not matter or the events that we might never encounter have taken over our minds today.

 

We often come across posts which makes us think, 

"Oh my God! look at her body! or Look at his muscles!

Look at this!

Look at that!

And “unknowingly, we gather so much of negativity that we do in a lifetime.” – Jay Shetty.

 

Normally, we spend around 9 years of our lives on television and social media, just think, how much years it could add if the time spent on social media in the year 2020 is added?

Believe it or not, this is having a huge impact on the way we think.

Don’t you think, Comparing our lives with someone else’s, has become a new norm these days?

Taking us to the doors of “Frustration and anxiety.” And Social media is omnipresent today and hence, the possibility of affecting our minds and mental health in no time, is high. 

Just take this as an example, 

How many of us check our phones right after we wake up?  

In case, we come across some negative news, it hijacks our mind for the day. 

And so I have chosen social media as an example as I find it really relevant in this context, it has the maximum potential to affect our sound minds. It’s not Social media specifically that could cause you emotional stress, it could be anything else. And if you do find reasons that cause you emotional stress by using the method of journaling I mentioned in my previous post, we’ll search for ways to manage it. 

We all know,  

“We can’t control our emotions but we can take charge of our actions every day.”

With this I introduce you to one of the many ways to overcome anxiety and a overthinking mind. 

As you read the phases given below, it might sound that you need lot of time to try it. But before you think this, there are two things you must know. Firstly, depending on how much you need it, the time allotted to each activity could vary. Secondly, when you invest time in healing, it’s not a waste. It’s worth it.

 

MORITA THERAPHY 

 

Created by “Shoma Morita”

Originally this therapy was developed to deal with Shinkeishitsu, an outdated term used in Japan to describe patients who have various types of anxieties. However, today it is also used in a wide range of applications in having a sound mind.

I found it in the book named IKIGAI, which talks about the Japanese secret to a long and happy life. And I couldn’t stop myself from sharing this piece of information with you. 

Try this therapy in a way it feels right for you. 

Morita therapy focuses on “Accepting our emotions without trying to control them, since feelings will change as a result of our actions.”

Read it once again. 

It also has different ways to create new emotions on the basis of actions. It teaches us to accept our desires, anxieties, fears and worries and let them go. The more we try to escape from our fears and discomfort, the more we find ourselves trapped in them.  

The four phases are:

Phase 1

·       Isolation and Rest-

No television, books, friends or speaking. Although the original therapy wants you to follow this for 5-6 days, you could do it for a few hours or a day. You begin the next phase when you feel like starting doing things again.

Phase 2

·      Light occupational therapy-

You have to perform repetitive tasks in silence.

For example,

Keeping a diary about your thoughts and feelings, taking walks in nature, doing breathing exercises, gardening, painting etc.

But make sure you don’t talk to anyone even in this stage. 

Phase 3

·       Occupational therapy-

Performing some physical tasks like cooking, cycling, running, trekking etc.

Although you are allowed to speak with others, the talk should only be about the task in your hands.

Phase 4

·        Returning to social life and the “real” world-

Maintaining the practices of meditation and occupational therapy mentioned in the third phase. You can now re-enter the society as a new person with a sense of purpose and without being controlled by social or emotional pressures.

 

This might sound too much to some, but we take medicines to treat our physical illness right? Then why not care about our mental state. Unlike the physical treatments where the duration of healing is mentioned. This might take a bit long for our minds to get over something, to grow through something.

 

"Acknowledging our feelings is the first step to grow, grow through the odds."

 

#Mentalhealthfirst. 

Let us understand, accept and work to improve our mental health together.