Mindful Musings of Dr J: Installment 6
In the previous installment, the importance of mindful patience was highlighted. In this installment, I will focus on another other essential mindful attitude: curiosity.
Have you ever “woken up” while driving a familiar route to wonder how you arrived without being aware of the journey? We spend much of our time on “automatic pilot”, relying on ingrained habits and routines to “get through” a busy day. While some habits and routines are helpful, the richness of life as it unfolds may be dulled by routine. One may be able to navigate from A to B while sleepwalking, but the experience will be much richer if we are fully awake and aware. Mindfulness, which is focused moment-by-moment awareness with non-judgmental acceptance, is the antidote to this day-to-day sleepwalking. Curiosity is an essential attitude to promote mindful awareness and bring childlike wonder to even the most familiar of routines.
A major benefit of curiosity is in helping us to respond rather than react in stressful situations. A reaction is triggered when we are challenged. This reaction is designed to protect us in true life-threatening circumstances. Most often we are triggered by a perceived threat that is not truly dangerous. The frequent release of adrenaline, cortisol and other stress hormones clouds our ability to problem-solve, and damages us physically and emotionally. We may say or do things in the heat of the moment that we later regret. Road rage is an excellent example of the dangers of over-reacting.
By employing curiosity in a difficult situation we immediately promote awareness and perspective. We can ask specific questions about the reaction. Am I truly in danger? Where do I feel the reaction? Stomach knots? Jaw clenching? Palpitations? Neck pain? When we notice the specifics of a developing reaction with detailed curiosity, it defuses the emotional power of the unwanted challenge. You can ask yourself if you are over-reacting, perhaps triggered by prior similar experiences that don’t really apply in the present. Gentle curiosity can allow the calm, problem-solving prefrontal cortex to reclaim the driver’s seat, displacing the more primitive reaction centers.
Curiosity also helps to promote creativity and joy, which are often lacking in our busy lives. It keeps us young in attitude, with the resulting freshness and energy preventing burnout and depression.
Mindful Exercise: Use curiosity in as many situations as possible; from brushing your teeth to doing dishes, perhaps doing your routines in slightly different ways just for the new experience. Next time you find yourself in a challenging situation, employ curiosity to fully notice as many of your physical and emotional reactions as you can. Frequently ask yourself if you are fully present, as a reminder to return to mindful moment-by-moment awareness. Make curiosity your new habit!
For optimal health, one needs to develop self-awareness, have clear health goals, a willingness to make necessary changes and an attitude of openness, acceptance and gratitude.