How to circumvent the pain neural pathways in your brain and get relief — from Dr. Hanscom

This is info from Dr David Hanscom’s app The DOC journey. (It stands for Direct your Own Care.) I’ve been doing this app and I really like it. It’s easy to follow with simple daily lessons. (More info on his site: https://thedocjourney.com/ (Join Us on a Journey to Reduce Stress - The DOC Journey))

Here’s some info that summarizes a lot of what he teaches:

Your body’s main focus is to survive, not to have a good time. Therefore, the default mode for your brain is negative.

This characteristic causes many errors in thinking because these thoughts are usually irrational. The result is relentless anxiety that eventually becomes unbearable.

Over time, your pain and anger pathways become deeply imbedded in your brain. So what’s the solution?

Here are some helpful approaches:

1. The most important strategy is awareness. Noticing how consistently your brain lands on negatives in spite of the many things you have to be grateful for helps you reprogram your thinking.
2. Commit to expressive writing. This simple exercise is extremely effective in disconnecting you from your racing thoughts, as well as allowing you to be more present.
3. Use active meditation throughout your day. Instead of battling your thoughts, simply place your attention on a physical sensation for 5-10 seconds until you calm down.