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Try Distracting Yourself

February 22, 2017 By Arlene Faulk

Each week I spend hours “focusing” — on Tai Chi moves, on intentional walking when outside, on helping students learn to focus their minds on moving their bodies in Tai Chi class, on listening and processing information for a candidate search process I am participating in — but today I am thinking instead about “distracting.”

I looked the word up. In the online Merriam Webster dictionary, it says “distracting is an object that directs one’s attention away from something else.” Sound familiar? Feel familiar? Yes. We start the day down one path and get distracted. Something pops up to divert our attention to something else. Then in the midst of that ‘something else,’ another unexpected something happens to pull our attention elsewhere. Our phones and computers distract us as we scroll down the screen with images and videos flashing at us. And then ads flash across the screens covering what we’re looking at and we are again distracted by a message on top of another message. Are you feeling distracted just reading this?

ClipArt of Computer

What to do? You might feel your mind swirling at times, not able to focus on much of anything. And when our minds swirl, our nervous system reacts, our muscles tighten and our breath either shortens or sometimes we even hold our breath.

Think creatively because much of this is in your control. You can distract yourself from all the competing messages and chatter that come at you each day. Before you can really focus, you need to distract your self from what occupies your mind to something else. Only then can you start to focus on things that are really important to you, your health, your family, your job, your caring about others. Take a big step — distract yourself from all chatter and clutter, to something else that will help you begin to focus.

change with the seasons

Filed Under: Energy, Facing Problems, Mindfulness, Paying Attention, Tai Chi Tagged With: distractions, do something else, manage chaos, swirling mind

Arlene Faulk

Arlene Faulk

After a years-long struggle to understand and conceal debilitating symptoms while I ascended the corporate ladder, I found comfort and healing through Tai Chi and Chinese Medicine.

My memoir, Walking on Pins and Needles, is the story about the power to control our lives and move in the direction of possibility. Read more...

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FROM TAI CHI STUDENTS

Tai Chi makes me feel calm, yet energized. Because of my practice, the small irritants of life affect me less.

Tai Chi student

I had back surgery, was in pain and had little range of motion. Tai Chi practice at Heartwood has helped me increase flexibility, my range of motion and my overall stamina.

Tai Chi student

Arlene teaches the Tai Chi form in such a gentle and connected way that many movements now feel utterly natural and healing.

Tai Chi student

I've even shared some of the exercises with my bike club to help reduce injuries. They really work!

Tai Chi student

I've always been a klutz and have regularly lost my balance and fallen when walking outside. Arlene taught me how to stand and walk properly through Tai Chi. I really can't believe it: I haven't fallen in four years since I've been taking Tai Chi with Arlene!

Tai Chi student

I love Arlene's Tai Chi classes. She helps us understand not only what we're doing, but also why we're doing it. That really helps me take what I learn in class and apply it to my daily life.

Tai Chi student

I'm really inspired by what Tai Chi has done for Arlene. She is a great teacher, who is calm and very patient. She has really helped me not to be so hard on myself.

Tai Chi student

I play golf and had a lesson after school, on the same day we had Tai Chi class. My coach commented, 'Your posture is amazing and all of the balance issues that we have been fighting for so long seem to have just taken a vacation.' I mentioned to him that I thought it was due to Tai Chi.

Tai Chi student

Tai Chi relaxes your entire body and promotes peace and proper breathing. The more I manage to breathe properly while doing any activity in my life, I generally tend to do a lot better at it. I benefited from Tai Chi because it managed to help me with my breathing skills even more.

Tai Chi student

Tai Chi really gives my body strength to put up with the pains of my breast cancer and back problems. Tai Chi is 'sneaky'. You don't think it's helping, but eventually you realize it's helping you.

Tai Chi student

For me, Tai Chi brings comfort and quiet amidst all the chaos and change.

Becky, Tai Chi student

In just a few months, the practice has become perhaps the most nurturing element in my life during COVID times, when sustaining a commitment to anything else has been challenging.

Barb, Tai Chi student

The community Tai Chi has provided has been a gift. With so much we can now do whenever we wish --- with an app, YouTube video, or streaming service --- meeting weekly (via zoom) in real time, live, to practice Tai Chi creates true community.

David, Tai Chi student

I really enjoy our time together and I've found Tai Chi a great way to "keep moving," not only during this pandemic but also as a regular practice with a wonderful integration of mind, body and spirit.

Martha, Tai Chi student

Tuning into the class and seeing familiar faces of the other students brings a nice sense of community and connection during this time of separation and isolation.

Julia, Tai Chi student

I love the walking practice because it helps me slow down and focus only on the moment.

Tai Chi student

Tai Chi has made me aware of how I’m standing and where my weight is. My balance is improving.

Tai Chi student

I hear Arlene saying to listen to my body and only do what I can do. That helps me relax.

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