Tuning In To What Matters (it's where peace lives)

Noise (noises of life) have the power to overwhelm our minds and cause us to feel stressed, unfocused, and weighed down.??In fact, look at these synonyms of noise:

?? racket

?? clamor

?? uproar

?? commotion

?? tumult

?? chatter

Ugh.? It is no wonder we want to cover our ears to escape the noise (just like our monkey friend??? ??)

Yes, it is not easy to escape the impact of noise in our lives.? We have to be intentional to calm our minds and bodies -- so we can experience the antonyms of noise, which are?

?? stillness

?? quiet

?? tranquility

?? calmness

?? silence

?? serenity

Awww, don't those words sound wonderful????

Yes, noise distracts us from the present moment.? When we hear or experience noises, we tend to look toward them -- and that takes our focus away from the present moment.

And when we are distracted from the present, we are missing important and precious moments with our family and friends.

Staying in the present moment is not easy either -- and that is because our minds are always "going." It is hard to turn off our minds, to slow it down because we are thinking about that never-ending "to do" list or thinking about something in the past or the future.

When you think about the future, what emotions do you experience?

I am going to guess one of the emotions is worry ?? which leads to fear, anxiety, and stress.? A lot of negative emotions.??

What about the past?? What emotions do you experience when you think about the past??

There could be some positive emotions with thinking and reminiscing about the past, but there could also be some negative emotions like regret.??

Here is why being mindful -- meaning, keeping our minds in the present - is important:?

The present moment is where peace lives -- and where there is less stress.

And for the most part, thinking about the future and past does not offer us peace.

This was one of my client's goals: to be more present with her family.?Before we worked on being more present, "Lisa" needed to reduce the noise in her mind because she said she could not turn off that never-ending to-do list.? To help Lisa lessen the noise in her mind, she slowed down and noticed what she was thinking.? She realized many of her thoughts included negative statements about herself. (she had never realized this before.)? Lisa began to practice catching and stopping those negative thoughts in "their tracks."? She then began reframing the negative statements into more positive statements.?

This reframing strategy made a huge difference in how Lisa felt!? Because she was thinking more positive thoughts now, Lisa was more relaxed and her mind was not racing.? She noticed the "noise" was not as distracting because its volume was now turned way down.

This technique helped Lisa accomplish the goal she had -- to be more present with her family -- to truly enjoy special times and conversations with her young children and husband. Before, Lisa missed a lot of moments because her mind was elsewhere.? Lisa is now able to be more mindful -- to stay in the present moment - and not be distracted by noise that used to cause her to think ahead to the future or back to the past. She stays?focused on what really matters.

And the positive outcome?? Lisa now?experiences?peace and true enjoyment in life because her mind and focus are in the present.???

I want to share a technique with you to help you be more mindful -- to bring your mind back to the present so you too can experience peace, calmness, and true enjoyment in life.??

It is called the 5-4-3-2-1 technique.?

This technique is effective because it will ...

?? Slow you down

?? Bring?you back to the here and now

???Lessen your sense of overwhelm

???Decrease stress

?? Lower anxiety

?? Help you?be more present with your family and friends

???Improve your mental and emotional health

??? Great benefits!???

Take a moment to try this technique.

First -- take a deep breath in, then a deep breath out.? Slow down your breathing, and your heart rate, which will slow down your mind and body and help you truly benefit from this technique.

5 - Five things you can see.? Look around the room to see five colors. See their shades, their shapes.? Slow down and look at them more consciously than you normally would.??

4 - Four things you can touch.? Maybe it is the clothes you are wearing, the desk you are at, the coffee mug in your hand.? Feel it.? Notice the texture, the softness, the warmth -- closer than you usually would.

3 - Three things you can hear.? Slow down and listen.? Truly listen for sounds.

2 - Two things you can smell.? Breathe in and take in the smells around you.

1 - One thing you can taste. If you don't have a drink or food with you to savor its taste, then focus on the taste in your mouth or your lips.??

When we focus on our senses, it slows us down and we HAVE to be in the moment.??

And when you utilize all 5 senses (or close to it), it turns off obsessiveness and brings you back to the present -- where peace lives.

Isn't it time to be more mindful than mind full? ??

I'd love to hear if you tried this technique and how you felt afterward.? Let me know!

If you identified with Lisa above and could use some extra support, guidance, and accountability to help reduce the noise in your mind and life and be more present, let's chat.? This is my expertise, as it is an area I have helped many clients with over the past 2-1/2 years.?

Send me a message if you want to learn more about what it means to have me as your life and health coach --- to help you achieve your health and life goals. ??

And just like Lisa, when that noise lessens in your mind and life, you will experience a newfound freedom, which will give you more energy, motivation, and clarity -- as well as help you?rediscover who you are?so you can be?that person -- your authentic self.? It is truly a beautiful transformation to witness!!??

I encourage you to slow down today, so you can be more focused on the present, experience peace, and not miss the important moments in your life.???

I am here for you!????

Pam Miller

Life and Health Transitional Coach

"Thriving Through Life's Transitions"

Transform Your Health, LLC