Mindcoolness

A Cool Mind for a Full Life

21 Ways to Misuse Mindfulness Meditation

I am not a Buddhist. Even though I like to supplement my formal mindfulness practice with spontaneous mini meditations throughout the day, I see mindfulness not as a way of life (as Buddhists do), but as a tool to enhance life. An instrument of thy body is also thy little sagacity, my brother, which thou callest "spirit." (Nietzsche, Thus Spoke Zarathustra) Every tool can be misused, and I have recently noticed that my everyday mindfulness has gone wrong. Here are twenty-one ways how you can … [Read more...]

8 Reasons Why People Regulate Their Emotions

Emotions rule our lives. Whether we want it or not, emotions color our thoughts and guide all of our actions. But since we have a prefrontal cortex and the power of will, we have the ability to regulate our emotions and thus to rule ourselves. Whenever we do so, we have at least one psychological motive: a will, an objective, a specific outcome we desire, a reason why. But are we always aware of our motives? Are you always aware of when, how, and why you are exercising emotional … [Read more...]

Don’t Confuse Acceptance with Happiness

Problem: I know that acceptance improves well-being, but, honestly, trying to accept what I feel doesn't make me any happier. Answer: As long as you practice acceptance with the expectation of happiness, you are not accepting what is and what you feel. While acceptance can modulate emotions, it doesn't enable you to change them at will, nor will it always make you feel good. Acceptance only changes your perspective, your attitude toward your state. If you keep worrying about feelings, your … [Read more...]

Night Owls Have Bad Emotion Management

Are you a morning or an evening person? Early birds tend to be emotionally healthier than night owls, as eveningness and depression are significantly related. One reason for this link could be the choice of emotion regulation strategies. A new study by Watts and Norbury (2017) found that 240 people's chronotype was associated, on average, with their way of managing emotions, even after controlling for sleep. Early birds used more cognitive reappraisal: mindset shifts toward positive … [Read more...]

Blood Meditation (New Mindfulness Technique)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8UrgaZCUEec I have recently created a new little mindfulness technique for myself, and I find it so powerful that I must share it with you. I call it blood meditation because it requires you to pay mindful attention to your inner blood flow. Here is how it works: Set a timer for ten minutes and sit down comfortably with an erect, proud posture and your hands resting on your lap. Close your eyes, relax your belly, and start breathing slowly into your … [Read more...]