Gut Feeling

Gut Feeling

Our whole lives are governed by our feelings and emotions. We might get a ‘gut feeling’ about someone or something which governs how we behave and react. Our feelings determine and impact on so very much of our day. We often believe that our feelings are right and true. We hear something and we jump to conclusions about people or events or ourselves without requiring or questioning the facts.

Just because I think something, it doesn’t mean it’s true!

When we talk about ‘feeling anxious’ we really mean that we have a physiological reaction to something that’s going on in our minds.  That physical reaction in our bodies might mean we run to the bathroom, or feel sick, or that we do want to eat because our stomach is churning or we might feel dizzy or have a heavy feeling in our chests or interrupted sleep – there is a huge range of physical reactions to anxious feelings and thoughts.

It can seem quite difficult to decipher which comes first, the anxious feeling in our bodies or the anxious thoughts because quite often we do not pay much attention to what is happening. We just know we feel something is wrong.

We might have an anxious feeling which seems to have come out of nowhere or we might have an anxious thought and then get a sensation of tightness in our chests.  Anxiety is perfectly normal. We need it to keep us focused but we also need to feel that we are in control of our anxiety, that we are in charge and not the other way around where our anxiety is controlling us.

The first step to making changes is to pay attention to your thoughts. You cannot change anything unless you are aware of what you are thinking. So, firstly, raise awareness of what it is you would like to change.  What are you telling yourself about you or others?  What takes-up your headspace?  If someone else could hear your thoughts what would they hear – pleasant statements or mean comments and put-downs?

If you want to make changes to your thinking learn how to let yourself off the hook. When you are learning to pay attention to your thoughts it can seem strange and difficult so be patient.

Pay attention to what you are thinking, then challenge those negative thoughts, put them on trial – is there factual evidence to support your view or just a feeling?  Praise yourself for any little progress you make.  Every time you catch yourself thinking negatively and challenge those thoughts, that is an achievement worthy of self-praise.  Be proud that you want to make changes and that you are doing something to improve yourself.

If you feel that you are struggling, please tell someone that you trust, who will keep what you say in confidence.  No one needs to face any problem on their own.

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