Be Where Your Feet Are: The Antidote to Overthinking
Have you ever found yourself in the shower, thinking about a conversation from three days ago? Or been listening to a friend talk about their day, while you’re thinking of that work task you have to complete? Physically, your body is here, but your mind has wandered onto a trail of its own.
We have all had moments of what is referred to as overthinking, ruminating, or racing thoughts. These types of thought patterns remove us from our conscious minds and can lead to heighted anxiety and stress. When we’re overthinking, especially about something that bothers or stresses us, our brains are trying to predict, control and protect us. Its working overtime to try and “get to the bottom of” our stressors. The truth is, it pulls you out of the present and into places you can’t actually do anything about.
Straying from the present moment doesn’t come without a cost. You may have noticed yourself feeling more tired, more anxious or more stressed about the situation you’re overthinking about than before you started thinking. It can disconnect us from the people and experiences happening all around us. In a way, you miss out on your own life while trying to “figure it out” or to control it.
In both my personal and professional life, I have found solace many times from the anxiety and stressors that inevitably pop up through the perspective of mindfulness and present moment awareness. A coworker of mine once told me, “Be where your feet are planted”. Right here, right now. Fully aware of the present moment both in my mind and body.
While our minds may wander or get stuck on a tiring loop of overthinking, our bodies are always here in the present moment. It takes some practice to help your mind to tune into the present moment; in our busy world, its easy for our thoughts to jump from one thing to another. Many practitioners in our field refer to our bodies as our true “home”, reminding us to “come home to our bodies”. This idea can be a helpful tool to anchor us in the present moment. When our minds and bodies are aligned in the present moment, there is no past or future. No ruminating on moments or memories in the past, no worrying about future tasks or goals. Just here and now.
Here are some helpful beginner practices to help “flex the muscle” of present moment awareness:
“Be where your feet are planted” by physically pressing your feet into the ground. Orienting yourself to the space you’re in, reminding yourself that you are here, now.
54321 grounding skill": Take a moment to identify 5 things you can see around you, 4 things you can physically feel, 3 things you can hear, 2 things you can smell, 1 thing you can taste. Engaging our 5 senses is a great way to be more present and in our bodies.
Breath awareness: Breathing in for 4 seconds, hold your breath for 4 seconds, breathing out for 4 seconds, holding for 4 seconds; maintaining conscious awareness of your breath.
You don’t need to solve everything today. Not everything your mind says deserves extensive attention and work trying to “solve it”. Present moment awareness is not about stopping any negative or worrysome thoughts, but more focused on not getting “stuck” in these unhelpful thought loops. Your life isn’t happening in your thoughts. It’s happening right here—where your feet are.
“Wherever you go, there you are!”
