Melissa Mose, LMFT

Everything that we do, think, and feel is registered in the brain and the repetition of patterns over time actually shapes and trains the brain. So, if we keep this in my mind we realize how important it is to be mindful about what we pay attention to, and what we give time and space to in our mind. Things that we experience consciously and intentionally leave a mark. So, if we strengthen our capacity to attend to what we choose we can change how we experience ourselves and the world around us.

Silver Linings: Some of us are learning how to cook. What activities are you doing during #socialdistancing? Comment with your silver linings.

In hard times, what matters is that we maintain a balance. If we can accept the reality and feel the tough feelings just enough to honor them and let them go, then we can also rest with the silver linings. Set the intention to pay as much attention to the positive opportunities that this crisis is offering as you do to the angst. A balance between acceptance of the dark cloud and appreciation of the silver linings can help relieve the stress and the struggle.

Confirmation Bias: Then tendency to notice things that confirm my beliefs and to not notice things that don't. If I think that I tend to hit every single red light on a certain street, I will notice every one of them and think, "see! there's another one." But i will sail through green lights without noticing. If I think a certain person is rude I will notice and focus on those moments when his or her tone is harsh and reinforce them in my mind.... Try to pay as much attention to the moments that disprove your beliefs or that surprise you in life. Your kids are playing quietly in the other room for instance. Take a moment to notice and appreciate that. We will have a much more clear sense of reality if we see things as they are rather than how we expect them to be.

"What We Practice We Get Better At" - The idea being that if you do compulsions to feel better or if you avoid things you are afraid of you won’t get over the fear, if you are negative all the time it just becomes more like second nature to think negative things.