We all numb out on various things in life and when we do it allows us to not fully pay attention to what is ailing us This would be normally expected in chronic disease wanting to make the pain and hassles to go away There is clearly pain and inconvenience for people with the IC bladder pain syndrome(interstitial cystitis, vulvodynia, chronic prostatitis, IBS, GERD, and fibromylagia) and so it’s understandable that an unconscious effort for numbing would occur
Numbing out is the inability to focus on the sensory experience that is bothering us Sure we notice the pain and inconveniences that “crimp our plans” but that’s as far as it goes
Whether we know it or not numbing out is in our life experience The reason I can say this with such assurance is that we all do it to some degree or another Now one might claim that it’s impossible to numb out when pain is in your face day after day and that is indeed true so we should define numbing out
Reasons for numb out are several 1 Often we don’t have the tools to be more present with whatever is bothering us 2 At times it’s inconvenient to bother or it’s the same thing day after day so why bother 3 It’s quick and easy to numb out 4 We get rewarded because of the pleasure that comes from numbing out
When we become students of whatever is bothering us we bring our full attention and in so doing intention to the issue at hand This is the crux of not numbing out By stopping the numbing out process we bring intention into the equation and voila healing occurs
Common examples of numbing out
Addictions of any kind…food(aka “comfort foods”), alcohol, marijuana, prescription drugs
Not managing stress and anxiety so we numb out unconsciously
Stress and anxiety produce flightiness which is a form or “run away” which is the heart of the numbing out process
Circles not together…essentially denial of the problems at hand
Social media….great way to avoid dealing with a problem
1 Journal
Be aware of insights that come about the issue and solutions that will help the problem
2 Meditate on the problem at hand
Be willing to sit, think, and talk about the issue that you want to correct
Spiritual practices sometimes help uncover the unconscious processes such as fear,stress, and anxiety
Grounded minds produce composure to sit
3 The above process allows us to observe something that comes up and not be overwhelmed by it
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