(2-minute read time)
You’ve heard of PTSD, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. This is the distress that can happen AFTER a traumatic event.
I recently read an article about a new PTSD. PRE-traumatic stress disorder; distress that happens to us BEFORE a traumatic event. It’s all of the worrying and dread about a hypothetical situation.
In the current climate, many of us are projecting trauma. We anticipate a world with no toilet paper, cleaning or medical supplies. We envision not seeing distant loved ones for a very long time. We are imagining missing events that have not even been canceled. We see scarcity and lack.
I am not blaming anyone for thinking this way. It’s a completely normal response from a brain that’s trying to protect you.
And, yet, experiencing the distress of trauma before trauma happens is optional, unnecessary and unhelpful.
In this life we will have troubles and trials, it’s supposed to be that way. At the same time, I want to help you avoid some of the unnecessary angst.
Awareness of what’s going on in your brain is the number one way to avoid this problem. Today I’m re-sharing a fundamental tool that will help. But, there’s a catch – it only works if you actually do it.
Step 1: Take 5-10 minutes every day to notice the thoughts swirling around in your mind and record them (writing or typing is fine, do not try to do this all in your head – we are trying to get stuff out of there after all!)
Step 2: Recognize that every single thought is optional. Our circumstances may not be optional but what we think about them always is.
Step 3: Pick one or two thoughts from what you wrote and ask yourself a few questions:
- Am I thinking this on purpose?
- Do I like this thought? Do I want to keep it?
- What else might I want to think instead?
Cleaning and sanitizing things are more important than ever right now. Be sure this key area gets some of that attention. You’ll be glad you did. Wanna chat about what you found? Just click here.
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