Respond, Don't React

Do you react instinctively instead of responding when something happens?

Do you react instead of respond?

• How have you been coping with life’s challenges? Do you find yourself repeating behaviors and creating the same experiences over and over?

If you answered YES, mindfulness is an excellent practice to assist with breaking those behaviours that are blocking you. When we are not aware of our thoughts and behaviours, we are more likely to be unbalanced emotionally and physically. Learn to respond instead of reacting.

A Solution to reacting instead of responding: To be Mindful

When we are mindful we can notice when we react rather than respond, and when we make the same decisions that keep bringing the same experiences. I often wonder if the option that feels best is only because it feels familiar, and if we took the other option – which feels uncomfortable - perhaps we could start to make new choices and have different experiences...

Identify your thinking so you can respond not react

Depression and anxiety are good examples of ‘same way thinking’. Triggers can upset us and before we know it we are caught in a depressive or anxious cycle. If this is something that you struggle with, maybe try the following:

• Notice what happens on the lead up to the depression
• What specific thoughts influence your mood
• How do you feel at that time – disempowered, withdrawn, afraid...
• What are the thoughts that disempower you and why they hold such a charge?
• Consider if it is possible to change the contributing factors and stop the spiral before it begins by introducing a new belief/behaviour

When we can identify what the thoughts are and why they affect us as they do, we gain power over them, and empower ourselves.