Higher?

Getting high is an integral part of pop culture. Taking the hit on a joint, having the drink at the end of the day or lifting the mood with a bump of cocaine seem to be an enduring behavior of many people who crave and enjoy the relief of a drug induced disappearing act.

Actually, this is not just about drugs but about the daily desire to disappear after a day of work. You might not want a “drug” at the end of the day, instead you want to engorge yourself with food, or get involved in risky behaviors such as sex with strangers without protection. Pick the poison that is deliberately chosen by you to aid in getting away from the constant rhetoric that is like a drip of water that can’t shut up.

The pace of life, demands made by schools on kids, the high cost of living that causes stress and agitation on adults are just some of the precursors that cause the desire to get away from the brain that does not rest.

Unfortunately, what these behaviors do over a period of time is create a reliance that ultimately impedes the brain from firing the positive messages. The learned response is part of the trickery that has you fooled into believing that the only way to escape the incessant drip of the water is by looking outside of the self for relief.

It is a real emotional bind. You want relief. Why wouldn’t you? You need a break from the demands. Makes total sense, right? You like the quick fix. Who doesn’t?

What if you could do it differently?

Recently I went to a workshop where we were asked to do a presentation, however with the caveat that we could not use a power point presentation. With worry and fear I could not imagine presenting without that power point? I started to think about what people rely on to ease the agitation that occurs after a day at school, work or even a bad date. This blog is written with that in mind.

What happens when the very behavior or action that is relied upon for that sense of calm, safety and escape are either not available or not appropriate in that moment?

Here are some suggestions before you look for the type of relief that ultimately causes more harm than good. And, actually keeps the powers of change within your reach no matter where you are! Try these exercises to see if you can reach a euphoria that belongs to you and not a behavior that requires a drug or excessive behavior.

1. Though I am always touting breathwork, it really does have an affect on the brain and calming down the sense of edginess you experience at the end of the day. It is a very specific type of breath- take in a breath very slowly, and as you take it in, say to yourself, “I am “ and as you breath out, say to yourself “Calm”. Do this 10 times
2. Imagine a place that you have either been to or have created in your imagination, and place your self in that place. Use all of your senses to foster the picture you see yourself in: taste, smell, touch, sound and sight. Are you alone? Are you in nature? Is there water? Are you flying? Take time to be the director of this picture. It is yours and belongs to no one but you.
3. Go for a walk. With each step allow your brain to let go of the day. Replace each moment that you let go of to be replaced by a memory that is funny, joyful or calming.
4. Aroma- did you know that certain scents are transforming? Find a store that carries different aromas- take the time to smell them and assess which ones actually contribute to a sense of calm.
5. Take a bath or shower to wash the day away. This is definitely a process of thinking in a cognitive way. The water is taking away the dirt of the day. My lack of power in the day.

It is fun to disappear every once in a while and when it is part of a daily routine there are ways to get there that enable you to remain in control rather than relying on that which you may not be available to you.