When you’re worried about something, your thoughts start chasing each
other round your head and don’t let up. You run the same scenarios
through over and over, as if practicing them would make them turn out
right.
Sometimes they’re in the past, sometimes in the future, but in either
case – worrying about them isn’t going to fix anything. It’s just going
to keep your thoughts in a groove they can’t get out of, upset you,
keep you awake at night, and limit your creative response to the
situation.
So what can you do?
Here’s a simple technique for calming your racing thoughts down. It’s as easy as watching a movie (and much cheaper).
1. Imagine, first of all, that you’re in a movie theatre. Smell the
popcorn, feel the fold-down seat under you, hear some relaxing music
over the speakers. On the screen, there’s a peaceful blue sky. Just
stare at it for a while, get lost in it, and absorb a little of its
peacefulness as the orchestra on the soundtrack plays calm, peaceful
music.
2. Now the camera dips down out of the sky into a busy city scene –
and it’s speeded up. People and cars (probably a lot of yellow cabs –
this is a New York kind of scene) are zipping back and forth on the
streets, as the camera’s viewpoint gradually drops down until it’s in
among the hurrying people. The soundtrack speeds up and it’s full of
hooting horns and beating drums.
3. But you’re a bit detached still, just watching the movie, and it’s
like it’s a movie of your racing thoughts. You’re just sitting back and
watching them hurry back and forth as if they had somewhere to go.
Where could they be going that’s so important? They don’t seem to be
getting anywhere.
4. Now the movie’s slowing down to a realistic speed, and the music’s
slowing too, and the camera is moving among the people, along the
street, and you’re watching the cars go past and the people go past,
still a bit detached. You’re watching a movie. Have some imaginary
popcorn, it’s low-calorie.
5. And as the music slows and becomes peaceful again, a lot more
strings and woodwinds, the picture gradually dissolves into a scene of
natural beauty. It can be whatever you like (it’s your movie), but I
suggest lots of greenery and some gently moving water, maybe a
waterfall, or a calm sea with gentle waves lapping on the beach. Have
both if you like, why not?
6. And now the music is fading out and being replaced with the
natural sounds of birdsong, moving water, and a gentle wind in the
trees. The sky is a beautiful deep blue, calm and peaceful. And you’re
in the scene now, walking around, enjoying the beauty and the calm. It’s
an ideal environment.
7. And as you enjoy that scene, just gently press your finger and
thumb together on whichever hand you like, and connect that feeling to
the calm and the peace of the beautiful scene, the way it looks and
feels and sounds and smells. And that’s your signal that you can use to
return yourself to that same state of mind any time you want. If you
find yourself on that New York street with your thoughts rushing
everywhere, just press your finger and thumb and take yourself instantly
back to the peaceful, relaxing garden. And enjoy.
Mike Reeves-McMillan is a hypnotherapist and health coach. He
loves to connect ordinary people with the resources they need to become
more integrated, healthier and happier. For more resources to overcome
stress and calm yourself down, get his free guide.
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