By Emmett Miller MD

The holiday season is upon us once again. As the days grow shorter and the nights longer, we find ourselves in that magical time of year when we hope the twinkling lights and festive cheer will lift our spirits from the winter doldrums. But let’s face it: this year, we’re dealing with a whole different beast.

This year, in addition to the enduring depressing and frightening news coverage of climate-change disasters, soaring inflation, bitter abortion battles, and rampant fentanyl addiction, we emerged from an election season that felt more like a gladiatorial free-for-all than a solemn democratic process. The political divisiveness has been disastrous for many of us – once-solid friendships frayed and family dinners became tense, silent ordeals or deteriorated into verbal warfare.

But rather than surrendering to anger, despair, and stress, you can seek to convert these emotional stumbling blocks to steppingstones to serene happiness–or at least inner peace–this holiday season. All you’ll need is the wisdom and skill to find the path that leads to peace through all the turmoil inside you.

How to Dissipate Negative Emotions

It’s important to realize that you don’t create your emotions with your conscious mind. Think about it; obody would intentionally choose to feel anxious, demoralized, resentful, helpless, or enraged. All of these emotions are created by your limbic system–your subconscious, the “monkey mind”–operating as it was evolved to do in our prehistoric past.

For most of us, this part of the mind is like a massive, stubborn elephant that each of us are riding. You can nudge it in the direction you want to go (or the way you want to feel) but if the elephant doesn’t want to go that way, you can kick and yell all you want . . . it will not budge from the path it wants to take. Yet you must choose the peaceful, balanced, confident, path for your mental, physical, and social health . . . and your happiness.

Here’s how. Stop suppressing your feelings and become consciously aware of the unpleasant emotions arising inside your mind, waiting to ruin your mood, your day. Keep a gentle, nonjudgmental but clear eye on that monkey so that you can guide it in the right direction! Then treat yourself to this quick mental reboot.

How To Tame Your Mind

My offering to you this year is a guided imagery meditation designed to help you find your strong, joyful empowered center, and truly enjoy the magical world of holiday lights around you, and within you.

You might think of this task as similar to training a rather excitable dog–the kind that barks at its own shadow and tries to bite the mailman daily. With a little patience and practice, you can teach that dog– your subconscious mind–to sit, stay, and maybe even roll over!

An Opportunity in Disguise

First things first: we need to recognize that the stress we’re feeling is an opportunity in disguise. That stress is offering us an opportunity to learn how to guide our thoughts with grace and poise. After all, if there is no immediate emergency, why not choose to be happy, or at least at peace in the moment?

The key is to tap into what I call the “Healing State.” It’s simple enough in theory–we’re just training our minds to relax. In doing so, we use the brain’s neuroplasticity, its ability to change its neural activity in response to internal or external stimuli by reorganizing its structure and growing new pathways.

Here’s how it works: Next time that negative inner emotion and its associated thoughts bubble up—frustrated with politics, panicked about the state of the world, angry with someone else’s behavior, or just overwhelmed with your responsibilities–take a deep breath . . . and as you let that breath out, remind yourself that in this moment, there is no dire physical emergency, so there’s no need for stress chemicals. Give yourself permission to take a little time to take charge of your mind.

Remember, all these negative emotions are actually chemical messages, and “negative” emotions are messages from the subconscious telling you to quickly prepare for fight or flight–or you will be dead in a few seconds. What your higher mind can be consciously aware of, however, is that these messages are the result of misinterpretation, and you have the power to intentionally guide the subconscious mind to relax. Not only does this feel good but, more importantly, it removes the inhibitory effect of the negative emotions on your higher mind, allowing it to clearly analyze the situation, come up with an effective and creative solution, and apply it.

Knowing this, you can download today’s imagery “Beating The Blues – Dissipating Negative Emotional States” and apply its mind-tools.

Remember, one of the worst effects of those negative feelings is that they cloud your judgment and keep your higher mind from devising the brilliant solutions you’re capable of. Gently but firmly tell that barking, biting, out-of-control dog of our mind to sit and stay and enjoy the beauty the holidays have to offer!

NEW GUIDED IMAGERY!

Beating The Blues – Dissipating Negative Emotional States

Release negative emotions and cultivate inner peace. Through deep relaxation techniques and mindful visualization, you’ll learn to dissipate anxiety and sadness, fostering resilience and empowering you to approach life’s challenges with clarity and wisdom.

If you would like to download a copy please click on the product title, press ‘add to cart’, then complete your purchase.

Holiday Season Special with Dr. Miller

Dr. Miller is delighted to extend a special Christmas offer to our valued community, Free Initial Consultation Session (in the office or via Zoom).

Whether you’re facing a recent life event or dealing with a persistent concern, these sessions offer an opportunity to explore how Dr. Miller’s expertise in coaching or psychotherapy might benefit you. To learn more about this special offer or to schedule your complimentary session, please contact Lisa at [530-478-1807].   She’ll be happy to provide additional information and find a time that works best for you.

Let Dr. Miller’s wealth of experience in healing of emotional issues, relationship problems, creativity, and spiritual enhancement  guide you towards a more balanced and fulfilling life.

Learn more at DrMiller.com/coaching

(This offer is available through January 10th, 2024)

Below is a collection of guided imagery programs I have selected to support you: