In this article I’d like to explain simply what happens when you suffer with anxiety, pain and fatigue for years, and how sophrology can actually help.
The body-mind-emotion cycle
First of all, know that your body, mind and emotions are always inter-connected and when something negatively impacts either body or mind, it will likely negatively impact the other, generating unpleasant emotions or sensations in the process.
Whether you experience anxiety, pain or fatigue, it can generate tensions in the body, or worry in the mind - and likely, fear, when you experience it for the first time. What’s more, it will generate even more fear if you find the feeling doesn’t go away.
Further, when a condition becomes chronic it generates more tensions; more worry; more fear. It’s like pressing the play button over and over and falling into a downward spiral. Over time, catastrophisation overtakes worry – this is when the smallest symptom becomes a sign of the worst case scenario you could imagine. At this point, a sense of frustration or hopelessness replace the feeling of fear.
Your body and mind will try to find a new balance within this perpetual vicious cycle. It will lead to physical changes in the body, and physical changes in the brain which ultimately lead to a negative change in your behaviours.
Now, as a result, because you fear having a panic attack, pain flare or spending the next week knocked out in bed, you avoid the activities you used to enjoy. Over time, you being to feel more isolated and lonely, and you don’t recognise who you are anymore. This is likely because you’re not who you were, anymore.
More unpleasant emotions, more pain, more withdrawal.
Is it possible to reverse the cycle?
Yes! Thankfully, if the body and mind can adapt when the cycle goes downwards, they can also adapt towards moving in the other direction - the right direction!
How can you do this? By starting to generate positive experiences and sensations in the body, you can help calm the mind and restore emotional balance.
This is how sophrology works. It’s nothing extraordinary, but through the repetition of practice it starts activating the body-mind-emotion cycle in a positive way.
Let’s say that experiencing a chronic condition for years has created a default mode in your nervous system, it’s like a highway you’re taking all the time.
With sophrology you start creating another path that leads to more pleasant sensations, thoughts and emotions. Keep practising - and reinforcing - that path, then little by little, the experience of your condition will change.
I’m not saying it’s going to go away, and I’m not saying sophrology is a cure. What I am saying is that you can find inner resources to live your condition in a more serene and positive way.
Of course, you hardly build another highway over night. This is why I always say that with sophrology you get as much out as you put in. It’s about practice.
It’s also ok if at times it’s not a linear process. You may feel you’re going backwards or you’re reaching a plateau. Don’t worry. Be kind to yourself. If you’ve had panic attacks, chronic fatigue syndrome or neuropathic pain for years, it’s understandable that you automatically resort to your default ‘negative highway’.
At this point, try to be aware that you’re pressing play on the vicious cycle, and make a conscious decision to take the other path instead. Just having that control is a great feeling.
There are days when you’ll experience those positive sensations only briefly, maybe only for the duration of the session. There are days that will surprise you and you’ll glimpse new possibilities. For instance you might have thought you wouldn’t be able to do a particular thing, and then surprise yourself by not only being able to do it but also not suffering massive adverse effects. Over time, you’ll get steadier and more regular glimpses of long-lasting changes.
Sophrology will help with all life transitions
The process I described above is universal and applicable to all life transitions. It is not restricted to anxiety, pain and fatigue.
For example, Tuesday is Menopause Awareness Day - and October is Menopause Awareness Month
What can you do when you notice the changes and experience unpleasant symptoms and sensations of menopause?
The practice of sophrology can help you to accept those changes with less worry. By reconnecting with the body, you feel what’s right for you. For instance, it might support you in making some sustained changes in physical routines and diet to ease the symptoms. It can help you fall back asleep more easily when you wake up at night with a hot flush. It can enable you to calm the nervous system down when you realise you’re breathing hard and fast from a rush of anxiety. In other words, sophrology can help you to build your own support system, and to regulate sensations and emotions brought about by these hormonal changes.
If you’d like to learn how to tap into the power of your mind-body connection to support your health and wellbeing download my essential guide for FREE