A technique I invented (sort of)

[Thomas M. Shields]

When out running, or walking if my body had denied me the pleasure of moving more briskly, I formed a habit of imagining I was imparting all my wisdom to someone uninitiated to the work of Sarno. I instinctively found it not just easier but more rewarding to create fictional senarios where I was helping people. Then, more recently, I stumbled upon a TED speaker (can't remember his name) who introduced this very technique, explaining that it works because we're better at maintaining a sense of objectivity when advising someone else.

So instead of telling yourself you're going to be okay, try being guru to a mirror version of yourself.

 

[HealingMe]

This is a great approach. I'll have to try it.

 

[Joulegirl]

This is great idea!

 

[NewBeginning]

This is so great @Thomas M. Shields!
So awesome that you started doing this intuitively! Love thinking about and exploring things like this!

I'm working on a project unrelated to TMS (or maybe it actually is more related than I originally thought ). One of the areas I have been researching involves perspective shifting, cognitive reappraisal, divergent thinking , etc -- processes like imagining imparting wisdom/being a mentor, like you have been doing, appear to be a quite effective techniques and can even activate different areas of the brain!

What you are doing may also be related to overcoming something called Solomon's Paradox? Seems there are definitely benefits to this type of psychological distancing that include reducing the emotional influence of the amygdala (yay for reducing fear). Could also be increasing dopamine if imagining helping someone. Many possible benefits...am excited to explore more.

Happy to hear you found something that works for ya! Good stuff.
Thanks for sharing and the inspiration!