Don’t Give In To The Monkey Brain

It’s easy, when you’re going through a difficult time, to fall into a deep, dark spiral of thinking that ends up feeding on itself with more and more depressing thoughts, fears and anxieties. That nattering chatter that won’t let up and pushes itself unbidden on your thoughts is something that I like to call the monkey brain.

It’s a plague and a problem, when you have to deal with not only the real troubles that you are going through, but also this unwanted chattering monkey in your head.

But I have found something that helps, and if it helps me, I like to think that it could help you too.

Here’s something to try: when these thoughts first start to impose themselves in your head. Reflect on them and, as best you can, remove yourself from the equation. Separate your thoughts from the monkey brain and ask yourself if the feelings and chattering that the monkey is presenting are actually going to help you in any way.

Realizing that there’s nothing that I can do about the doubts and fears that try to make me scared about either what has happened or what might happen usually allows me to put those thoughts aside and get on with my life. Sometimes things are too powerful, and then I find that some breathing-focus meditation clears things up.

If those things fail, I suppose I can suggest trying out one of my friend Jason the Fez Monger’s Monkey Brains fezzes. If you can’t beat ‘em, join ‘em, right?

Indian monkey photograph used through Creative Commons license by Dylan O’Donnell