Mind Tools & Inspirations: Irritation is information
Irritation is information.
You feel irritated when your Anterior Insula Cortex (your AIC) detects that something may not be going the way you want it to go. Your AIC creates vivid feelings in your body to get your attention and motivate you to act.
In this 3-minute experience you practice observing and releasing irritation.
TRY THIS…
If you have time, let me guide you so you can focus on your experience.
HERE IS THE PRACTICE
Have your eyes closed.
Bring your attention to how you are feeling.
Allow to come to mind a time when you felt somewhat irritated.
Something mildly irritating, not a big irritation.
What was it that irritated you?
Now let go of the story of what was irritating and focus your attention on how being irritated felt.
What do you feel when you feel irritated?
Explore the physical sensations.
Where do you feel it?
Bring your attention to your abdomen.
Each time you exhale, slowly release tension or tightness in your abdomen.
Bring your attention to your chest.
Each time you exhale, slowly release tension or tightness in your chest.
Feeling irritated is information.
Your thoughts trigger changes in your body to get your attention.
It can be fascinating to notice times when you start to feel irritated and what you feel.
WHY DO THIS?
Noticing that you are starting to feel irritated gives you perspective.
Bringing your attention to how being irritated feels gives your mind something to do other than repeat the reasons why you are irritated.
You gain self-awareness and a little distance from the irritation.
Mind Tools & Inspirations are experiences for busy, smart, curious people to help you operate your human system.
To access the full set of Mind Tools visit https://www.yogamindtools.com/mind-tools-inspirations
I add a new experience every week.
Kindly,
Carrie
Carrie Heeter, PhD
Yoga Mind Tools