Sitting with Discomfort
Nobody likes to experience unpleasant feelings. When something goes wrong many of us tend to use distractions to avoid getting in touch with what bothers us. We train ourselves not to allow discomfort but discomfort is part of life and the more we can accept it the less it will bother us. The Pain times the Resistance we put up equals the Suffering we experience
Sitting with your discomfort is simply allowing yourself to be comfortable with discomfort. It means not to try to push unpleasant feelings away but to sit through difficult feelings and allow them to lessen and leave us.
Part of self-care involves allowing ourselves to actually feel all of our feelings, even the uncomfortable ones.
Participation question
If any, which distractions are you using: television, sleep, video games, the Internet, intoxicants, work, or other forms of escapism to avoid what you’re feeling?
What changes can accepting discomfort bring into our lives?
Helpful Videos:
How to actually sit with your feelings
How to practice feeling your feelings
Helpful Resources:
Seeking Help
Mental stress can cause us not to be able to see the good things in life and lead to excessive rumination or worries which can result in serious health problems. If you have serious, long-term problems with negative thinking and feeling depressed, see your doctor or talk to a therapist if they are related to any mental challenges.
Are you looking for a therapist? 7 Cups has online, certified therapists with a paid option. For more information on what happens in online therapy at 7 Cups, Read Lisa’s (a therapist and director of therapy) explanation https://www.7cups.com/forum/therapy/General_2432/WeveLaunchedTalkTherapyon7Cups_319430/
To apply for 7 Cups online therapy, click on this link (must be logged into member account) https://www.7cups.com/online-therapy/?ob=1
@amiablePeace77
I've realized that my main discomfort is loneliness. While I have a loving family and a few acquaintances from work, I don't feel truly connected. I live alone and have a cat who is awesome, but while I enjoy my free time and independence it gets the best of me.
I've traditionally used Food/snacking as an escape. So much so as I will go out of my house, but junk, then hunker down and eat.
More recently though I have come to recognize when I have these temptations. Mainly when my job or obligations for the day are "done" and I feel I can just go home and have nothing to hold me back. While relaxing for a moment, it doesn't take long to then become boredom and loneliness. I've worked on some mediation, prayer, and breathing exercises to help me get through these moments and have found this app to just look over stories and find people to talk to.
@Phoenix22k
Boredom and loneliness can make us feel trapped and do things which might be harmful to us. I am very glad you became aware of those temptations and chose to help yourself. It can help to feel more connected to others by joining discussions and open chats. I find it also very helpful to go for walks outside to change the scenery and create possibilities to chat with others on the road.
Here is a link to the 50+ and mindfulness discussion schedule
Schedule 50+ and Mindfulness