{"id":25054,"date":"2024-12-30T11:16:19","date_gmt":"2024-12-30T11:16:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lotuswellness.in\/lotus\/?p=25054"},"modified":"2024-12-30T11:16:19","modified_gmt":"2024-12-30T11:16:19","slug":"self-introspection-5-ways-to-reflect-and-live-happily-lotus-wellness-indias-finest-luxury-rehab","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lotuswellness.in\/lotus\/self-introspection-5-ways-to-reflect-and-live-happily-lotus-wellness-indias-finest-luxury-rehab\/","title":{"rendered":"Self-Introspection | 5 Ways To Reflect And Live Happily | Lotus Wellness | India\u2019s Finest Luxury Rehab"},"content":{"rendered":"

Self-Introspection | 5 Ways To Reflect And Live Happily | Lotus Wellness | India\u2019s Finest Luxury Rehab\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

By<\/p>\n

Dr G Om Prakasham<\/a>
\nChairman, Lotus Wellness
\nConsultant Heart Surgeon
\nMental Health Advocate<\/p>\n

We can all agree that we could all use more happiness in our lives, especially when we are isolated from others.<\/p>\n

Although watching Netflix, taking walks, exercising, and video chatting with friends all bring us moments of happiness, they feel temporary\u2014they are fleeting.<\/p>\n

At the end of the day, when we lay our heads down on the pillow, we are still stuck in our heads\u2014ruminating negative thoughts, the argument with our partner, friend, or coworker we keep replaying in our head, our constant self-judgment \u201cyou\u2019re not enough\u201d conversation that we have back and forth, fear, and hopelessness.<\/p>\n

Then we wake up and do it all over again. Can you relate?<\/p>\n

The good news is that there is a simple practice that can help. Introspection and mindfulness (self-introspection) can increase your happiness permanently .<\/p>\n

TABLE OF CONTENTS<\/p>\n

What Is the Correct Self Introspection Definition?<\/p>\n

Introspection Alone Is Not Enough
\n1. Growing the ego and reinforcing the need to be “right”
\n2. Causes self-judgment, self-blame, and suppressing of emotions<\/p>\n

What Is Mindfulness?<\/p>\n

Five Ways to Practice Self-Introspection
\n1. Set Up Your Ideal Environment
\n2. Journaling
\n3. Use Positive Words and Phrases
\n4. Ask Yourself Empowering Questions
\n5. Focus on the Good for Just a Little Longer<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts<\/p>\n

What Is the Correct Self Introspection Definition?<\/p>\n

Before we move to explore how to increase self-introspection, the first thing we need is to find introspection\u2019s meaning.<\/p>\n

Lotus wellness defines introspection as:<\/p>\n

\u201cObservation or examination of one\u2019s own mental and emotional state, mental processes, etc.; the act of looking within oneself.\u201d<\/p>\n

Introspection is a thinking, analytical process. It is the deliberate process of reflection. We don\u2019t do this because it isn\u2019t easy and takes a lot of work!<\/p>\n

Many people are often caught in the state of reaction and ego and do not take the time to reflect. They are clouded by emotions and can\u2019t see things clearly. For introspection to be helpful and effective, it requires self-awareness, the ability to put aside the ego, and the need to be \u201cright.\u201d<\/p>\n

Let me share an example from one of my clients.<\/p>\n

Priya has a long, stressful day working from home while juggling her kids\u2019 distance learning, goes grocery shopping, and comes home and begins preparing dinner. As she\u2019s helping the kids complete their homework while cooking dinner, her husband comes home and plops himself on the couch. He turns on the TV and begins laughing at the serial he\u2019s watching.<\/p>\n

Priya is a bit annoyed and wished her husband would help, but she holds her tongue knowing that he needs to unwind from his long day. After dinner, Priya bathes the kids, reads them a book, and puts them to bed. She finally has a chance to sit down for the first time in hours and asks her husband if he could help clean up and do the dishes. He says, \u201cI\u2019ll do it later, honey.\u201d<\/p>\n

A few hours later, the dishes are still not done, he\u2019s still watching TV, and Priya begins feeling irritated, angry, and resentful. After all, this seems to happen quite frequently. She mentions the dishes again, and he responds angrily and harshly, \u201cI ALREADY told you, I will do it later.\u201d<\/p>\n

Priya gets angry and begins complaining about how she has to do everything around the house and that he never helps with the kids. It turns into a full-blown argument and she retreats to her bedroom, fuming. Priya replays the argument repeatedly in her head and goes to bed stressed, angry, and in tears.<\/p>\n

Introspection Alone Is Not Enough<\/p>\n

Introspection uses a lot of \u201cwhy\u201d questions.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy am I angry?\u201d \u201cWhy do I feel this way?\u201d with the well-intentioned goal of understanding one\u2019s self. The problem with this is that it keeps us trapped in our perspective and sometimes, in the past.<\/p>\n

Introspection also has no clear direction of where it could go depending on what you\u2019re looking at, how you\u2019re looking, and where you\u2019re looking.<\/p>\n

We at lotus eloquently put the definition of introspection as:<\/p>\n

\u201cIntrospection is like looking through the microscope, and the slides keep changing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Introspection is the tool, the process\u2014like in Lotus\u2019s analogy, it is the microscope.<\/p>\n

The slides (self, emotions, thoughts) keep changing.<\/p>\n

Another downfall of introspection is that it is very ego-focused and self-centered and often results in either:<\/p>\n

1. Growing the ego and reinforcing the need to be \u201cright\u201d<\/p>\n

In the previous example, Priya can observe her emotions of anger and resentment and understand why she feels the way she does. She gathers evidence and past experiences and understands that this anger and resentment come from years of feeling this way. Examining her feelings and experiences further causes her to feel even more entitled to her feelings of anger.<\/p>\n

2. Causes self-judgment, self-blame, and suppressing of emotions<\/p>\n

Priya can observe her emotions of anger and resentment and understand why she feels the way she does but feels bad. She tells herself, \u201cI shouldn\u2019t be angry,\u201d \u201cI overreacted,\u201d \u201cI was stressed and I took it out on him,\u201d etc., and begins judging herself, blaming herself, and ends up feeling even worse.<\/p>\n

So, if introspection alone is not helpful, what else do we need? A touch of mindfulness (self-introspection)!<\/p>\n

What Is Mindfulness?<\/p>\n

There are many definitions of mindfulness, but I define it as non-judgemental, present moment awareness. Mindfulness opens our minds to observing our thoughts and feelings, acknowledging and accepting them without judgment.<\/p>\n

To put it more simply, it\u2019s not about fixing or changing your thoughts or emotions, but about noticing and accepting them as is.<\/p>\n

So, how does this help exactly?<\/p>\n

Let me first start by saying that mindfulness is a practice, meaning it is not an innate, automatic behavior or process that we do. It is a practice\u2014it takes practice. It is a learnable skill and doesn\u2019t take much time at all.<\/p>\n

Mindfulness is the practice of bringing attention to the emotion that comes up, not identifying it as part of self, but simply noticing it and getting curious. When there is curiosity, there is no space for judgment. When there is no judgment, acceptance is much easier to follow.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s a funny thing. When we are not so tied to our perspective and clouded by our emotions, it opens up a horizon of possibilities. We can see things as observers, remove ourselves from our identity of emotion and intense feeling, and take a step back. When we can do this, the emotion no longer holds us.<\/p>\n

Many research studies show that mindfulness meditation effectively reduces stress and can improve physical and mental health by positively changing the brain and biology. Researchers reviewed over 200 studies of mindfulness among healthy people and found that mindfulness-based therapy was especially effective for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.<\/p>\n

A person diagnosed with \u201cRecurrent Major Depressive Disorder\u201d since high school had many trips to the ER and inpatient stays at a psych unit. This same person has not had another recurrent depressive episode since he began practicing mindfulness and meditation. It has saved his life, and he is truly grateful.<\/p>\n

Five Ways to Practice Self-Introspection<\/p>\n

Now that you have understood the concept of self-introspection meaning, you may be wondering, \u201cGreat! How do I do this?\u201d As someone who may be new to self-introspection, there are some key points to keep in mind to set you up for success.<\/p>\n

1. Set Up Your Ideal Environment<\/p>\n

As I mentioned, \u201cmindfulness is a practice,\u201d and it takes practice. Think of it as the rehearsals before the big show, the basketball scrimmages, or batting cage practices before the big game.<\/p>\n

When we practice something, we progress and become prepared for \u201cthe big game or show,\u201d which is your life. Although mindfulness doesn\u2019t necessarily require sitting and meditating for 30 minutes daily, this helps train us to be still. When you are still, you are with yourself and your mind, and you can practice noticing the thoughts, the sounds, and the sensations.<\/p>\n

This requires a quiet space without distractions or stimulation where you can be alone and undisturbed. Some noises or sensations are unavoidable, but trying to meditate, self-reflect, or think about things while the kids are running around, the TV is blaring, or people are talking is not ideal.<\/p>\n

If you have kids or a family and it is difficult to have alone time, waking up 30 minutes earlier in the morning, sitting in the car, or even while in the shower is an option. You might have to get creative. If you have difficulty sitting, you could do a walking\/moving meditation. If you feel stuck, being in nature and outdoors helps bring us back to stillness.<\/p>\n

2. Journaling<\/p>\n

Journaling is underrated. If you look at the most successful people in the world, thought leaders and entrepreneurs such as Oprah, Warren Buffett, Einstein, and many others, they all have this in common\u2014they journal.<\/p>\n

Journaling has many benefits, including increasing awareness and improving memory, self-confidence, communication skills, and self-expression. It also helps us keep organized, on track, and motivated.<\/p>\n

What I love most about journaling is going back and seeing where I was just one year ago, what I was going through, the challenges, the learnings, and fast-forwarding to now\u2014celebrating how much I\u2019ve grown.<\/p>\n

As one of my mentors, Don , said,<\/p>\n

\u201cYou make progress on what you track.\u201d<\/p>\n

Wouldn\u2019t you want to progress on yourself, your goals, and your life?<\/p>\n

Here are some helpful tips and ideas:<\/p>\n

Free write any thoughts, emotions, or feelings that come up. Keep writing for one to two pages\u2014just a free-flow stream of consciousness, not allowing yourself to think. The first few paragraphs will be very conscious, but continuing to write another two pages nonstop allows the unconscious to come through. It will surprise you what you\u2019ll find.<\/p>\n

Try writing from a 3rd person\u2019s perspective if you are going through a tough time and cannot separate yourself from the situation or feelings (staying stuck in your story). This allows for more openness and perspective.<\/p>\n

Use your journal as your to-do list for the day. Set goals and outcomes for the day. Set an intention for the day.<\/p>\n

Journal your wins. Write down the things you are most proud of accomplishing. We tend not to celebrate our wins and quickly look for the next big thing. Stop. Take a step back and celebrate your daily or weekly wins. You deserve some acknowledgment, don\u2019t you?<\/p>\n

Journal on grateful moments. There are many things to be grateful for, but we often write them down as a list. This is slightly different and a slight deviation, but I like to journal \u201cgratitude moments.\u201d It\u2019s a moment when you can close your eyes and re-experience it. For example, the moments when I\u2019m outside sitting on my patio drinking my coffee, feeling the sun\u2019s warmth on my face. Take the time to engage in that positivity and all the feelings accompanying it.<\/p>\n

3. Use Positive Words and Phrases<\/p>\n

We often identify with our feelings as if our feelings are who we are. We say things like \u201cI am angry,\u201d which keeps us identified with the emotion of anger, making it difficult to let go.<\/p>\n

We are not the emotions we experience; instead, we are the experiencer of our emotions. Although we understand this in concept, our language and the words we use perpetuates the identification of the emotion.<\/p>\n

As a Master Practitioner of Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP), I believe that language and words affect how we experience the world. So, although we know that we are not our emotions, we speak as if we are\u2014\u201dI am angry.\u201d Case in point.<\/p>\n

If we want to use language congruent with our beliefs that we are not our emotions and common mindfulness practice, we can use phrases such as \u201cI notice that I am experiencing anger.\u201d This allows for almost a third-person perspective and disconnects you from the emotion.<\/p>\n

4. Ask Yourself Empowering Questions<\/p>\n

Making a slight change to asking yourself questions while practicing self-introspection makes a difference. Instead of asking yourself \u201cwhy\u201d questions, ask \u201cwhat\u201d questions.<\/p>\n

Instead of asking, \u201cwhy do I feel so angry?\u201d ask, \u201cwhat is that I am feeling?\u201d \u201cWhat do I notice?\u201d \u201cWhat is it exactly that I am upset about?\u201d See how that opens up possibilities?<\/p>\n

Asking \u201cwhy\u201d questions also has an underlying sense of judgment. Imagine if your child accidentally broke a vase, your automatic response might be, \u201cWhy did you do that?\u201d The child doesn\u2019t know what happened but knows you are angry and starts crying. Instead, if you asked, \u201cWhat happened here?\u201d they might be able to explain that the ball bounced and accidentally hit the vase.<\/p>\n

Asking \u201cwhat\u201d questions opens the possibility for understanding, empathy, and compassion at a deeper level.<\/p>\n

5. Focus on the Good for Just a Little Longer<\/p>\n

A relationship psychology study by John Gottman of the University of Washington found that it takes at least five positive interactions to make up for just one negative one .<\/p>\n

This means that negative interactions or thoughts generally have five times the impact than positive ones. Well, this is bad news.<\/p>\n

Rick Hanson, Ph.D., psychologist and author of Buddha\u2019s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, and Wisdom, has a saying:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe mind is like Velcro for negative experiences and Teflon for positive ones.\u201d
\nBy ruminating on the negative, we strengthen the neural pathways for negativity and tend to see the world in this light. I bet you know these people in your life\u2014the \u201cDebbie Downers\u201d and people who are always complaining, negative, pessimistic, and down about the world.<\/p>\n

Fortunately, it doesn\u2019t have to be this way. We can almost counteract this by simply taking in the good for a little longer. We can change the neurotransmitters in our brains to look for good things.<\/p>\n

Rick Hanson says,<\/p>\n

\u201cReally savor the good. In other words, the way to remember something is to make it intense, felt in the body, and lasting. That\u2019s how we give those neurons lots and lots time to fire together so they start wiring together. So rather than noticing it and feeling good for a couple of seconds, stay with it. Relish it, enjoy it, for 10, 20, or 30 seconds, so it really starts developing neural structure.<\/p>\n

And this is how we can begin to rewire our brains for positivity, joy, gratitude, and becoming happier people.<\/p>\n

Final Thoughts<\/p>\n

Introspection does not come naturally. Even with a great mindset and a positive attitude, introspection can still be difficult. For introspection to be effective, it requires mindfulness and awareness. If you follow the points in this blog, it will give you a great place to start. From there, it is just practice.<\/p>\n

The combination of both introspection and mindfulness (or self-introspection) is the perfect recipe for creating lasting happiness\u2014no matter the circumstances.<\/p>\n

Contact Lotus Wellness<\/p>\n

If you or a loved one is considering going Substance Free , or having a mental health breakdown , we at lotus are happy to provide several options to help you get treatment. Contact us to get started on your journey of finding a center that fits your specific needs and wants. Lotus rehab is special.<\/p>\n

Lotus is India\u2019s Most exclusive and discrete luxury rehab offering the best programs for Detox, De Addiction Treatment , Mental health Rehabilitation and Overall wellness.<\/p>\n

LOTUS WELLNESS AND REHABILITATION CENTER
\nPollachi, \u00a0Coimbatore , Tamilnadu , India
\nCall confidentially 24\/7 (+91 7339062555)
\nReach us at info@lotuswellness.life
\nTo know more about us visit our website
\nwww.lotuswellness.life<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Self-Introspection | 5 Ways To Reflect And Live Happily | Lotus Wellness | India\u2019s Finest Luxury Rehab\u00a0 By Dr G Om Prakasham Chairman, Lotus Wellness Consultant Heart Surgeon Mental Health…<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":25055,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[190],"tags":[208,203,197,202,200,206,198,204,205,207,199],"class_list":["post-25054","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-addiction","tag-addiction-recovery","tag-affordable-addiction-treatment","tag-alcohol-addiction","tag-best-rehab-centers","tag-detox-programs","tag-drug-detox-near-me","tag-drug-rehabilitation","tag-holistic-rehab-programs","tag-mental-health-treatment","tag-opioid-recovery","tag-substance-abuse-treatment"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/lotuswellness.in\/lotus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25054","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/lotuswellness.in\/lotus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/lotuswellness.in\/lotus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotuswellness.in\/lotus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotuswellness.in\/lotus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=25054"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/lotuswellness.in\/lotus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25054\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":26810,"href":"https:\/\/lotuswellness.in\/lotus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/25054\/revisions\/26810"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotuswellness.in\/lotus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/25055"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/lotuswellness.in\/lotus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=25054"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotuswellness.in\/lotus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=25054"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/lotuswellness.in\/lotus\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=25054"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}