So many of us struggle with overthinking. Trapped in an endless cycle of ruminating thoughts, it can feel overwhelming and like there’s no way to come out of it. Thankfully there are ways to calm a busy mind and today I’m talking about some of the reasons why we overthink, how it impacts our mental well-being, and sharing some effective strategies to bring your mind into a state of peace and calm.

Overthinking isn’t just a modern problem. Even the ancient yogis struggled with the same problem, which led to the development of yoga as a tool to overcome such mental hurdles. Overthinking often stems from the need for certainty and control, as our brains naturally seek to analyse and solve problems. However, when overthinking becomes a persistent loop without leading to productive action, it can spiral into negative emotions, anxiety and mental paralysis.

When we are stressed or have a problem, our nervous system takes action by triggering the fight or flight response, leading to heightened anxiety and negative thought patterns. The amygdala, the fear centre of our brain takes charge, causing a cascade of negative thoughts and physical responses. This mental state can disconnect us from our bodies, numbing our feelings and preventing us from experiencing true emotional intelligence.

One of the first important steps in stopping the cycle is acknowledging that overthinking is not helping you. By challenging our negative thoughts, setting boundaries for thinking time, and engaging in practices like yoga and breathwork to calm our nervous system, we can start to gain control over our overactive minds. Embracing uncertainty and having faith in our ability to handle challenges can shift our perspective from overthinking to a more balanced and grounded state.

In the first part of this episode, I share some practical information on the often hidden reasons that contribute to overthinking and how our brain responds to stress. Then stay tuned for the second half where I share a guided somatic practice, designed to bring you back into your body, connect with your breath, and tap into your own deep wisdom.

Breaking free from overthinking is a transformative journey that requires patience, self-awareness, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. By cultivating a deeper connection with our inner selves, we can unlock profound wisdom and navigate life's challenges with clarity and resilience. Remember, the next time you feel caught in the web of overthinking, take a moment to breathe, connect with your heart space, and trust in the power of your own intuition.

LINKS:

• Curious about Yoga Alchemy?: https://cultivatecalmyoga.com.au/yoga-alchemy/
• Website:https://cultivatecalmyoga.com.au/
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Many of us grew up thinking we had to be hard on ourselves to succeed. We believed that criticising ourselves was the only way to improve. However, constantly criticising and being hard on ourselves often leads to feelings of shame and hopelessness. It drains our mental energy, makes us feel unworthy and puts our nervous system into freeze mode. So, why do we punish ourselves?

Behind the mask of the critic is often a wounded child. Our inner critic tries to protect us from failure, hurt, or embarrassment, reminding us of past experiences where making mistakes led to punishment or criticism. This fear of judgment or negative consequences can keep us stuck and prevent us from pursuing our goals.

As strange as it might seem, self-criticism can also become addictive because it evokes strong emotions. Anything that makes us feel, whether it’s positive or negative, has a charge associated with it and makes us feel alive. And if we’ve had a habit of being self-critical for a long time, this feeling becomes very safe and familiar and we struggle to let it go.

To ditch self-criticism, we need to practise and embrace self-compassion. When we treat ourselves with kindness and compassion, we accept the fact that we are human and that we all make mistakes. We recognise that growth and transformation are all part of the journey toward consciousness.

In this episode, I share a little about my journey of letting go of self-criticism and how learning new habits has impacted my life for the better. Becoming self-compassionate has enabled me to bounce back quicker from an upset, I have more physical and mental energy and so much more focus now that I’m no longer at war with myself.

Self-criticism perpetuates a shame cycle, it makes us feel terrible and it doesn't lead to positive change. Compassion, on the other hand, allows us to learn from our mistakes without punishment, allowing us to move forward knowing that we are accepted as we are.

If you struggle with being self-critical, I’m sharing some practical steps to help you change those negative thought patterns and cultivate self-compassion. Make sure you stay tuned to the end of the episode where I share a beautiful guided meditation that will open your heart toward love, self-acceptance and kindness.

LINKS:

• Check out our VIP Membership Sale: https://cultivatecalmyoga.com.au/vip-sale/
• Curious about Yoga Alchemy?: https://cultivatecalmyoga.com.au/yoga-alchemy/
• Website:https://cultivatecalmyoga.com.au/
• Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/cultivatecalmyogabrisbane/

I'm often asked if yoga helps people with anxiety, and as tempted as I am to say that yoga is the cure for everything, it's not so straightforward. Learning to manage anxiety is a journey so today I’m sharing some practical tools to help you care for your nervous system and feel a whole lot better.

To address anxiety effectively, it's important to understand the mechanics of our nervous system, which is the link between our mind and body. According to polyvagal theory, there is a hierarchy to our stress response. Think of it like rungs on a ladder. When we experience something stressful, our nervous system detects a threat and we enter the fight or flight response. If we can't escape the stress and it overwhelms us, we move up a step on the ladder into the freeze response. We become withdrawn, dissociated, or mentally checked out. It can feel like going through life on autopilot.

When the stress finally passes or we create enough safety in our nervous system, we must go back down the ladder into the fight or flight state. This can feel uncomfortable as we experience a rush of adrenaline, racing thoughts, and tensed-up bodies. However, this is how our nervous system works. By creating safety and calming ourselves, we eventually enter a relaxed parasympathetic state.

Anxiety isn't simply a thinking problem that can be solved through positive thoughts. It is a nervous system response. To turn down the anxiety response, we need to regulate our nervous system and create safety in our bodies. In this episode, I share 5 tools to help you do this and these are tools you can use every day, no matter where you are.

1. Move Your Body Every Day: Physical movement helps discharge the energy from our nervous system, completing the stress cycle. Any intentional movement can work, whether it’s punching a bolster or going for a walk.

2. Harness the Power of Breath: Our breath is the interface to our nervous system. By practising diaphragmatic breathing and extending our exhales, we activate our vagus nerve, signalling safety to our brain.

3. Cultivate Sensory Awareness: When stressed or anxious, we often dissociate and disconnect from our physical bodies. Bringing our attention back to our senses reestablishes the mind-body connection and grounds us in the present moment.

4. Allow Yourself to Feel Emotions: Anxiety is often accompanied by underlying emotions such as anger, grief, shame, guilt, or fear. Allowing ourselves to feel and release these emotions in a safe and healthy way prevents them from manifesting as anxiety.

5. Normalize Anxiety: Anxiety is a natural response of the nervous system, signalling a perceived threat or feeling of unsafety. Understanding that anxiety is not permanent and can be navigated and managed empowers us to care for our nervous system and prioritise daily self-care.

Many people struggle with anxiety but with the right tools and willingness to learn patterns of behaviour, healing is possible. Remember, anxiety doesn't define you. You are on this path for a reason so keep going and make sure you prioritise taking care of your nervous system every day.

LINKS:

Previous episode mentioned:

Breathe your way to less stress

• Check out our VIP Membership Sale: https://cultivatecalmyoga.com.au/vip-sale/
• Curious about Yoga Alchemy?: https://cultivatecalmyoga.com.au/yoga-alchemy/
• Website:https://cultivatecalmyoga.com.au/
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