Several times I have mentioned I am back to teaching the emotional regulation module for DBT. We have a great class and I love teaching. This is one of the directions I hope to go in when I am no longer able to do psychological testing. Teaching is easier on the eyes. Hope for the best.
Plan for the worst and planning for the worst includes finding rewarding things to do ‘after’. Do not leave yourself without viable options.
Anyway, getting off the soapbox and getting behind the lectern…I started on the topic of sensing today. Many of you may remember back when people talked about the mind/body dichotomy. Back in 16-something or other the philosopher Rene Descartes proposed a theory that said mind and body are so very different there was no way they could truly interact.
Old Rene had a very good run but back in the 1990s scientists were discovering mind and body are not distinct at all! In fact, there is an elegant feedback system between mind and body. Enter the concept of sensing.
Marsha Linehan refers to sensing as being aware of your body and brain changes. Sensing body and brain changes is experiencing emotions. Why is that? Because Linehan believes emotions are actually changes in your brain and your body.
Linehan includes sensing as a way of identifying emotion. As a way of identifying emotion it works well. At least one study has shown emotional reactions are hard-wired and people all over the world say they experience the same emotions in their bodies in the same way. Have a certain set of bodily sensations and you can usually name the emotion that goes with them.
Linehan also suggests being an observer of yourself. Notice how your postures and mannerisms express your emotions, often without you even being aware.
Ever have an obstinate three-year-old in your presence? Did he cross his arms and hunch his shoulders? He was defending and no one was changing his mind!
But you know what is wonderful about postures? They can be changed and by changing postures emotions can be changed.
DBT – as well as many other sources, see Amy Cuddy’s TED talk about how your body language shapes who you are – believes one of the ways we can influence our emotions is by altering our body language. It is sort of a postural opposite to emotion. Find yourself slumping? Sit up! Find yourself in a closed posture? Open up! An act as simple as sitting up in your chair can improve your feelings of personal power. Uncrossing your arms can make you more willing to listen to a different point of view. It is magic in a little postural adjustment. Cool.
People ask what they can do to improve their moods when they are depressed over their diagnosis. I recommend education, support groups, therapy, exercise, etc. But if all that seems too much? Sit up! Like I said, there is magic in a little bit of postural adjustment. Be your own magician. It works.