OHM Step #2 ~ OBSERVE
Last week we talked about how breath is our first go to for resetting painful movement patterns and for re-activating our parasympathetic nervous system. Recognizing that our breath has the ability to reduce pain and increase calm is a powerful pattern interrupter.
Recognizing that our BREATH is our greatest and most reliable ally will make this second step of OHM be more impactful. The interruption of our pain or stress with a breath allows us to see that our pain isn’t just physical… it’s connected to our thoughts also.
By observing what we are thinking while we’re experiencing pain or stress, it becomes easier to track down the thoughts and feelings that have us in this holding pattern of discomfort or distress.
This is what pain is all about… it’s our body letting us know that something requires change!
Habitual negative thoughts such as fear, worry, anger, and self-doubt create dense, heavy energy that can block the flow of life force energy in our body. This leads to physical and emotional imbalances, causing symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety, depression, and... yes, even chronic pain.
When we feel pain or are struggling with stress and anxiety, we are NOT just holding our breath… we are also thinking one or more negative thoughts!
These negative thoughts may sound like:
“This damn knee will never get better.”
“I hate getting old.”
“I can’t deal with this today.”
“Why is my body betraying me?”
These negative thoughts may be in relation to physical body pain that we are experiencing, or they may be in response to feeling stressed about a relationship or frustration at work.
These thoughts are not random… they are energy. Energy that is responding to the experience of pain or stress that you are having. What’s more, this energy has weight!
Heavy thoughts create heavy energy… and heavy energy helps the pain and stress to last longer.
This is why Step 2 of OHM (Our Healing Method) - Observing our thoughts – is a crucial next step in our healing journey!
Here is how it works:
Step 1 - Breathe through your painful movement pattern
Step 2 - Observe your thoughts and ask yourself - What was I just thinking about?
This question takes practice, because often we are unaware of the habitual, underground thoughts and beliefs that we hold onto. Chances are these habitual thoughts were picked up very early on from our parents, peers and society at large.
By the time we are experiencing physical pain or caught is a stress loop… the corresponding negative belief has been hanging around for quite awhile. This process of recognizing our negative thoughts takes a little time to unravel.
But here’s the magic…
Becoming aware of the thought is enough to start changing the pain and diffusing the stress.
We don't need to judge it.
We don't need to fix it.
We don't need to push it away.
We simply observe it 🤔
Exploring these negative thoughts that are lurking behind painful sensations in the body or stress-filled scenarios in the mind, can be incredibly uncomfortable!
Please be kind to yourself as you practice Step 2 of OHM. This step asks us to lean into some discomfort… while we practice getting comfortable with observing our uncomfortable thoughts (wow, that quite a mouthful 😉)
Continuing to practice this step is truly an act of profound courage and self-love 🥰
Here are the two ways in which we like to observe our thoughts…
Immediately in the moment of pain, or
Setting aside 15-20 minutes a day to meditate
Quieting our thoughts through meditation accelerates the observation process, as it becomes very apparent what negative beliefs are running the show (so to speak) when you set aside daily time for stillness… awareness is the beginning of healing ❤️
Give Step 2 a try, and remember that kindness with self is the key!
Again, I invite you to check out our website… we have some great resources on our resources page that we welcome you to check out.
Next week we will explore Step #3 of OHM (Our Healing Method) … APPLY.
If you have any questions about anything we share, please connect with us anytime via EMAIL, we love to hear from you 🤩
Love,
