CLEVELAND — In this week's 3 Things to Know with Stephanie Haney podcast, a Cleveland Clinic psychologist breaks down the difficulties of moving forward after life's disappointments, and the mental and physical benefits of doing the work to get there.
Often times, when people face challenges, they hope for closure that never comes, Dr. Scott Bea, PsyD, explains in our conversation. Realizing how to stay present in the moment is key to surpassing that hurdle to moving on and letting go, he says.
"It’s interesting that we even have the concept of closure because I think in a practical way, it rarely happens," Dr. Bea tells me.
"I think one thing that really helps is noticing what your real life is right now, living presently, coming into this moment. Sometimes you have to remind yourself of what you’re seeing, smelling, hearing, tasting and feeling from outside your body to come back here now. That’s where your real life is happening."
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Once we find ourselves in that place of acceptance, that's when we can appreciate the physical benefits that come from achieving peace of mind.
"What goes on in our brain goes on in our bodies, of course, so when we’re upset emotionally we’re also experiencing problems with our bodies," Dr. Bea says.
"We might feel fatigue. We might not be sleeping very well. We can have stress hormones circulating that are affecting other organ systems, including our hearts, and our gastrointestinal systems, so any time we find ourselves moving toward a more peaceful spot in our thoughts and in our brains, we’re going to have a little bit better peace when we lay down at night. We’re giong to be a little more energized."
In the podcast, Dr. Bea also talks me through the stages of moving forward, and how to avoid projecting experiences from your past onto your present situation.
Plus, I share the locally made salsa from West Side Salsa Company that you Need to Know in NEO, and why The Cleveland Bucket List is such A Good Follow on Instagram.
To find this week's podcast, just search for '3 Things to know with Stephanie Haney' wherever you get your podcasts, or follow your preferred link below:
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Check out more episodes, including tips for how to avoid burnout in your everyday life, at the links below.
