Play games: Playing games will focus your attention enough to stop all other thoughts from taking over your mind. If you are alone, try puzzles, word games, or Sudoku. Scrabble is my favorite. Playing board games has the added value of nurturing relationships. (I highly recommend this to all families.) Playing sports has the added benefit of exercise. Even watching sports can sometimes be enough to grab your attention and keep your focus outside of your head.
Music: Singing happy songs will hyper-focus your mind on breathing, tone, rhythm, etc. Karaoke adds the benefit of having to read at the same time. This will keep your mind from wandering onto negative trains of thought. You also get the bonus of deep breathing! Playing a musical instrument also requires your full attention. These activities are like musical meditation!
Service: When we are helping others we are focused away from our own problems. Volunteer in your community or church. When you are of service, you are not only being a productive member of your community, you will feel better about yourself.
Create: When you focus on a new garden project, cooking, or redecorating a room you are paying attention to the process of creation. This usually will keep your attention enough to quell negative trains of thought. My favorites: cooking, sand castles, finger painting.
Dance: Take a class, or make up the moves as you go. Any kind of dancing will do the trick! Make dancing a regular part of your life.
Of course, keep practicing breathing and being present as much as possible, but sometimes these hyper-focus techniques may be just what you need to break the negative train of thought and force you into the NOW.
Be Happy, My Friends,
Laura Barrette Shannon
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