I stink at "floating"

John61 · Post by **John61** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:19 am

I try to float when I have the spacey feeling but I stink at it. I try to occupy my mind but I am just so focused inward. Anyone have any tips?

Dianelynn · Post by **Dianelynn** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 2:56 am

Have you tried distracting yourself? Doing something else with your mind? Music, tapes, reading, a phone conversation??

sleeplessMom · Post by **sleeplessMom** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 3:23 am

Try noticing details of things around you, to get focused outward. If I am at my desk, I notice the feeling of my fingers on the keyboard, the way the light is coming in the window, the sounds from next door. Pay very close attention to detail. When all else fails, I try humor. Spaceyness is annoying, but not fatal, and teenagers (and some adults) spend a lot of effort trying to achieve this feeling chemically! Even though I got here not on purpose, I can at least try to enjoy it

formerly sleeplessMom

Prv31Mom · Post by **Prv31Mom** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 4:33 am

Usually I'm OK to float, but on one particularly bad episode I just couldn't do it! I had read about this exercise that I tried though...and it worked pretty well!

You lie down (or sit, if you have to) and tell yourself that you will not move for X # of minutes (you decide). You will start to notice that something itches, or something tickles...but you can't move. Notice the feeling of the fabric you are on, but don't move your fingers. Notice how your head feels heavy against whatever it is resting on. Notice the sounds around you...but DON'T MOVE.

You will find (hopefully!

) that this distracts your mind to the point that you are entirely focused on you...not your problems. Also, as a side benefit, when you complete this successfully, you will realize that you CAN indeed control your mind to do what you want it to!

Best wishes!
Dawn

deedee00 · Post by **deedee00** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 5:03 am

Hello John.

Make sure you distract yourself with something that will force you to only think of one thing at a time. In the program, it was housework for Lucinda, But it can be house work, talking to a friend on the phone, balancing your checkbook, doing your taxes, listening to music, reading a book, praying, etc...

Just make sure that it's something that makes you refocus your thoughts.

Take care.

Carolyn Dickman · Post by **Carolyn Dickman** » Fri Apr 11, 2008 7:11 am

Excellent suggestions...I hope those who try this will add to this thread with outcomes. Good job people, Carolyn

John61 · Post by **John61** » Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:03 am

Carolyn,

I think your description of "puddling" is great. I have tried to come up with a word to describe my feelings to friends and family and when I heard that on one of the tapes it really hit home. I feel like I could melt right into the floor, dead on for how I feel.

Thanks everyone for the tips!