MIXING PSYCHOLOGY AND REALITY CHECKS – Using Awareness Of Emotions To Induce Reality Checks and Rational Thinking
“Metacognition refers to one’s awareness of and ability to regulate one’s own thinking” – https://sites.google.com/a/uwlax.edu/exploring-how-students-learn/what-s-all-the-fuss-about-metacognition
“…The differences in volumes in the anterior prefrontal cortex between lucid dreamers and non-lucid dreamers suggest that lucid dreaming and metacognition are indeed closely connected… Our results indicate that self-reflection in everyday life is more pronounced in persons who can easily control their dreams,” – Max Planck Gesellschaft – https://www.mpg.de/8869963/lucid-dreams-prefrontal-cortex
“…85 percent of what subjects worried about never happened… …new research has found that you can rewire your brain to stop worrying. It starts with the decision not to believe the misfortune that your worried thoughts see in your future. The part of the brain that causes stress reactions literally has the intelligence of a toddler.” – https://www.huffingtonpost.com/don-joseph-goewey-/85-of-what-we-worry-about_b_8028368.html
“…The process of noticing, and breaking thoughts down will help you immensely in becoming more aware and less reactive to negative thoughts that drain your energy and limit your growth.” – http://onewithnow.com/aware-of-thoughts/
KEEPING ALL OF THE ABOVE IN MIND, HOW ABOUT THIS?
- Throughout the day, OBSERVE YOUR THOUGHTS and emotions.
- Whenever a DISTURBING EMOTION such as worry, guilt, etc. comes up, DO A REALITY CHECK (since we worry so much, this should give ample opportunities for reality checks throughout the day.)
- Follow up and
- EVALUATE THE THOUGHTS THAT CAUSED YOUR EMOTIONS – WERE THEY IRRATIONAL, UNREALISTIC, SEF-DEFEATING?
- Come up with RATIONAL AND CONSTRUCTIVE ALTERNATIVE WAYS OF BELIEVING OR THINKING
- REPEAT, repeat, repeat
I call it EMOTION INDUCED REALITY CHECK – EIRC. 🙂