
I have been studying a new concept in medicine called New German Medicine. It is based on the premise that “Every disease origninates from an unexpected, highly acute and isolating conflict shock that occurs simultaneously in the psyche, the brain, and on the corresponding organ” -Dr.Ryke Geerd Hamer
I spend alot of time thinking about how life is full of shocks, challenges and triggers that few of us have learned to effectively navigate in order to support the maintenance of optimal health. It has been my goal for several years to create practices, tools and strategies to minimize the effects of external influence that cause triggers, shocks and challenge my mental/emotional/physical health. Following, are the processes and some tools and strategies I use daily to help me to maintain a sense of groundedness and peace. MY PROCESS
1.Become well acquainted with your triggers. When are you triggered? What triggers you? Where are you triggered? (environmentally as well as where do you FEEL the trigger in your body?) I find it helpful to record and journal the answers to these questions. 2.Establish and commit to practices that will help you to manage your trigger. CONSISTANTLY practicing these activities during times of calm makes it easier to utilize when you are in the middle of a full blown trigger attack.For example, if you establish a daily practice of conscious breathing for 20 minutes a day, when you ARE NOT being triggered you are more likely to utilize it when you are triggered because you have experienced the calm that conscious breathing provides,.
If you are dedicated about your affirmation practice during tranquil times, you are more apt to remind yourself of your worth when you have been triggered by a criticism.
3.Bravely apply your new ways of thinking, believing, perceiving, behaving. People might have an opinion about the new way you are acting but know you are being a role model for THEM to do likewise.
4.Be gentle and offer yourself much compassion when you are not satisfied with how you handled something. It is all practice and process:-) You wouldn’t put down a friend or a child…cut yourself some slack, be gentle with YOU:-)
5.Celebrate EVERY SINGLE little success:-) Everytime you respond to a stressful/challenging situation in a more healthy, empowering way, pat yourself on the back, ACKNOWLEDGE and celebrate your growth.
TOOLS/STRATEGIES
1.Conscious Breathing: Bring attention to your inhale and exhale. If a thought intrudes, observe/acknowledge it and let it go, gently returning your attention to your breathing. Even 5 or 10 minutes of this is so effective in restoring a sense of well being.
I practice this when I do dishes, prep food, during commercials, while walking, while driving, while folding laundry. There are also alot of good guided meditations on You Tube for this.
2.Gentle, Compassionate Self Talk: Practice talking to yourself like you would a small child who is learning something new(who would yell at a baby learning to walk? Acknowledge and allow the time and practice it takes to learn a new way of being. Breaking free from old patterning takes time.
Gentle Compassionate Self Talk is such a great practice in self care/love. Be gentle with yourself when you make mistakes, when someone has critisized you, when you werent able to meet your own expectations, when you are triggered(be the comforting inner parent to your fearful/hurting inner child) words are so powerful, watch the words you speak to your precious self<3
3.Affirmations: When you determine your triggers, write affirmations to help you combat them.
For example, if you are triggered by criticism and struggle with maintaining a sense of self worth when it happens, take 5-10 minutes everyday and affirm: “I am worthy when I make mistakes as well as when I demonstrate competence.”(or whatever works for you…here is a link to a post I wrote on affirmations that have been helpful for me. https://wordpress.com/post/jbrouha.com/712.
When practicing affirmations, it is highly beneficial to practice FEELING what the affirmation is affirming…really FEEL, believe and know your inherent value. This embodiment of the words you are reciting, serves to make the affirmation more effective.
Although I implement other tools and strategies as well as these, I find these 3 to be a good foundation to support one in establishing healthier responses to triggers and challenges.
If you would like to learn more, I invite you to join me for discussion, playing with creating your own personal practices and strategies, as well as an offering of support for establishing new ways to deal with life’s shocks, challenges and triggers:-) Contact me through messenger or mailto:jlbrouha@gmail.com if you are interested.