THE FIRST STEP: PAUSE
What if we could press pause and consciously consider our decision?
Why Pause?
Pausing gives us a break in thought and action, so we can interrupt habitual behaviors. As humans, we have the ability to use the prefrontal cortex of our brain to observe and think about our thoughts. This allows us to contemplate and ask ourselves if what we are about to do is intentional or habitual.
How To Pause
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One way to pause is to practice "box breathing".
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Explore other methods like "grounding exercises".
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The more we practice, the easier it is to pause when we need it.
“I have learned that even when I’m feeling stressed and rushed, there is always an opportunity to pause in the moment and give myself a chance to be intentional.”
How It Works
Pausing puts the brakes on our “survival brain”, which is where we make impulsive and habitual decisions. Just taking a breath and pausing can help interrupt the auto-response long enough for our “feeling brain” and “thinking brain”, to catch up so we are ready to make intentional decisions.
How It Relates To Substances
When it comes to alcohol, tobacco and other drugs, our urge or desire for substances bypasses the “thinking brain” and often goes directly to the “survival brain”. This is why substances can become such an addictive mechanism for coping.
Yet… when we pause, we can interrupt that cycle.
And when we continue to pause, our brains learn that habit, and it becomes easier over time.