In cases of trauma (PTSD), the brain's speech center can shut down. Research shows that physical activities like yoga, dancing, or drumming can release trauma stored in the body. This suggests these practices can also unlock positive, intuitive wisdom that isn't accessible through talk therapy alone.
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An intense emotion like fear will run its course and pass in just 7 to 12 seconds if you let yourself feel it completely without suppression. Chronic suffering arises from resisting the feeling, not from the feeling itself. To accelerate this process, breathe into the physical sensation rather than holding your breath against it.
For those who struggle with stillness, active forms of rest like gardening or baking can be a powerful entry point. The key is that the activity must be intentionally unproductive, with no achievement goal. This active rest helps calm the nervous system, making it easier to transition to deeper, more still forms of rest like meditation later on.
Molly Carlson, who has Generalized Anxiety Disorder, finds that the three seconds she's in the air during a high dive are the most silent her brain ever is. The extreme physical risk and focus required create a temporary state of pure presence, making the dangerous act a powerful mental escape.
Contrary to popular belief, intuition isn't just a "gut feeling" or brain pattern. Research, particularly from trauma studies like "The Body Keeps the Score," shows that wisdom and life patterns are physically embedded in the body's fascia and musculature.
The emerging field of "neuroaesthetics" shows that the physical act of making art has proven benefits for mental health and longevity. Crucially, these benefits are entirely independent of the creator's skill or the quality of the final product, emphasizing process over outcome.
The common advice to 'protect your mental health' often encourages avoidance. A more effective approach is to 'exercise' it. By actively and intentionally engaging with manageable challenges, you build resilience and expand your mental capacity, much like a muscle.
Instead of bottling up or immediately reacting to anger (e.g., before sending a terse email), channel the emotion physically. A brief, intense activity like lifting a dumbbell for 60 seconds helps process the frustration constructively, preventing it from escalating into a destructive response.
The 'Wiggle Theory' suggests we are born with a natural, playful 'wiggle' that gets suppressed by the rigid structures of adulthood. Music and other creative acts give people permission to rediscover this innate, non-linear state, unlocking essential emotional channels.
By silently watching animals, one can learn the 'first language' of energy—a pre-verbal understanding of intent and emotional states conveyed through body movement and presence. This non-rational language builds a deep sense of connectivity with all creatures, including humans.
When you suppress an emotion, you physically jam an energetic pattern into your body. Over time, this creates tight, compressed areas—'lock boxes'—that can lead to chronic pain, postural issues, and shallow breathing. This physical blockage also disconnects you from your body, trapping you in your mind.