“When you live each day with intentionality, there’s almost no limit to what you can do.” -John C. Maxwell, Intentional Living: Choosing a Life That Matters
In a world filled with distractions, it can be incredibly easy for our mind to jump to autopilot mode. 🧠💭
What Is Autopilot?
Being on autopilot means completing an action without actively thinking about it - doing something out of habit or without conscious awareness. Here are some examples of how you might be operating on autopilot in your everyday life:
🚗 Not remembering your drive to work.
🍽️ Eating a meal without noticing tastes or feelings of fullness.
⏳ Time passing faster than usual.
🗣️ Not fully listening or comprehending conversations you are in.
🔄 The overall feeling of going through the motions.
If these instances feel familiar to you, that’s okay! This is you completing the first step of becoming more mindful - recognizing moments on autopilot! 🌱
What Causes Autopilot Mode?
Now you might be wondering, why would our brain and body choose to go into autopilot mode? Quite frankly, it’s easier! Our brains and body exert less energy when on autopilot, which eventually creates a habit of turning down the brain’s awareness of the experiences around it.
The opposite can also be true - if the brain is too tired, or is experiencing burnout, we can shift ourselves into autopilot mode to save energy and effort for possible future events (like eco mode in cars and an iPhone’s battery life conservation feature). 💭
Overtime, conserving energy becomes familiar, and building awareness and intent would take effort, which perpetuates the cycle of autopilot moments. But, with practice, awareness can be built, breaking free from autopilot!!🌟
How Can We Become More Mindful? Living With Intention Instead Of On Autopilot
🧘♀️ Check Ins: Plan a mindful check in throughout the day. Take a few moments to breathe and check in with yourself - you deserve it! Once your daily check in feels like second nature, try to add some more check ins at different times.
🔄 Break the patterns: Try to add something into your daily routine that is new and exciting! This might be a five minute stretch, an extra minute to eat desert, 🍨or even a morning walk.🚶 When we break up the monotony of our days, there is more time for awareness and mindfulness.
🎯 Change the focus: In moments that you notice a lack of awareness, try to shift the focus to the task at hand. This not only strengthens our abilities to identify autopilot turning on, but also allows for mindfulness to trickle into our everyday tasks!
💬 Habit Stacking: Use the James Clear Habit Stacking formula “After _____ (current habit), I will _____ (new habit). (Example: When I brush my teeth, I will do a body scan.) Building mindfulness to your daily routine can be as easy as making a connection between something you already do, and adding awareness!
Tips On How to Break Free From Autopilot Using Mindfulness From Our Therapists
Don’t get discouraged if autopilot still shows up. With recognition, you're building your mindfulness practice one day at a time! ✨
Mindfulness can be tricky, but practicing for a few moments every day can make a world of difference.
💡 Want to integrate mindfulness into your therapy journey? Reach out to us at Skyline Mental Health and schedule a free initial consultation! 📞
Mindful Challenge! Which way will you practice being mindful this week?
0%Check-ins
0%Break the Pattern
0%Change the Focus
0%Habit Stacking
This is so helpful! Thank you!