Attention Training

Last week we talked about health anxiety and how people who are more prone to having health anxiety tend to be more aware of bodily sensations and changes. Hence, their focus is constantly on the symptoms they are feeling.

One way to work through this tendency is by doing some attention training. Like with any skill the more you practice the better you will get at it.

With attention training you are training yourself to be in the here and now.

A simple exercise you can do throughout the day is to use everyday household activities such as ironing, washing dishes, cooking to train your mind not to wander but stay in the present moment.

You can use your senses to keep you anchored. Think about what the activity feels like? What are you noticing? What sounds do you hear? What smells? What flavors?

If you find that your mind has wandered, no need to get upset just gently bring it back to the task at hand.

So give it a try and see how it goes!