Get Into Your Body

Mikal Britt, Behaviorist for 10+ years

I heard a saying recently – “the only way to get out of your head is to get into your body”.  This is one of those ideas that can be applied to anyone.  But I find that it works especially well for those on the spectrum.

Sometimes the mind can get stuck on a thought or a movie quote.  The more the thought loops and spins, it’s like a snowball rolling down a hill, getting bigger and gathering speed.  Soon, this repeating thought becomes like a prison, unbreakable.  It consumes everything, it inhibits practical daily tasks.  It can cause tantrums and meltdowns.  All this because someone was stuck inside their own mind.

The people around that person often say all the wrong things when a person is stuck on a thought.  They ask, “why are you saying that?” or they say, “stop saying that!”.  People make threats “you have 3 chances to stop saying that or else you will lose your priviledges”.  But most likely, none of these words will do anything.

Often times, a physical activity is needed in order to break the pattern.  To get out of the mind, get into the body.  It might be jumping jacks, running, wall push-ups, bicycling, swimming, yoga, punching bag, squeeze ball, etc.  Whatever the activity, it should shift the focus of the mind by shifting the blood flow in the body.  It should change the energy.

In my personal experience, I find that I simply cannot obsess on whatever problem I may be having when I am feeling exhausted and sweaty, just trying to take one more step or hold a pose a little longer or lift a heavy weight.  Exercise can be the best cure.  Better than talking, better than analyzing, better than obsessing.  Exercise calms the body and mind by releasing endorphins.  Even if the effects are not immediate, they will be felt.

So next time it feels like nothing is working, try some simple exercise.  The important thing is finding which exercise your client will respond to.  A kid who hates sports might love yoga.  A kid who hates running might love handball.  A kid who hates organized team sports might love simply jumping on a trampoline or jumping rope.  It takes some trial and error, but everyone should have at least one physical activity they enjoy.

So get out of your mind by getting into your body!!