Why doing my hair has always helped me relax: lessons in mindfulness

[mollyringle]

In my teens and twenties, when I woke up in the morning from disturbing dreams, I often found that a good way to dispel the lingering feeling of dread was to do something about my hair. That was something I generally had to do anyway in order to get ready for the day, but its oddly therapeutic quality struck me time after time. I'm not the sort of

Comments

[rachel2205]

Good post! It's so hard to exist in the moment rather than fretting about the past or thinking of the future.

[mollyringle]

It does take constant discipline, especially for those of us who live in our heads a lot!

[travels_in_time]

When I can't wander around outside (with a camera, preferably), I find crocheting to be great for taking my mind off things. Following a pattern and counting stitches is great for being in the moment, and I find that I'm usually less stressed if I get to spend part of my commute or lunch hour doing that. I think you're absolutely right about the perceived need to be socially connected. Oddly enough, being too socially connected seems to disconnect us from our own thoughts and feelings. Of course, sometimes I have the opposite problem...there's gotta be a happy medium somewhere. :)

[mollyringle]

I bet knitting/crocheting and similar activities definitely have a meditative quality that way. I should find some hobby that uses my hands more. I like that you mention the camera--I've also noticed that when I focus on trying to take interesting photos, I tend to feel much more relaxed in any given situation. That, too, is probably related to being centered on the present moment, though I hadn't thought about it before.

Social connection is very important, even to us introverts! I think the problem with social media is that it takes up our time without quite providing all the true benefits of social connection. We humans are still working out this internet thing, as it applies to our psychology. :)