How to Shift Perspective When You ’ re Stuck in Your Own Way

Why We Can’t Believe Everything We Experience Sitting by the edge of the indoor pool on a winter’s day, I swung my feet into the water, feeling the full-on rush of cold water against my feet and ankles. “Boy is this water cold,” I thought to myself.  Not quite ready to plunge in, I dipped my fingers and then hands into the water, surprised to discover the warmth of the water against my skin. “Wait, actually the water feels nice and warm.” This phenomenon struck me as very curious. My feet, having been in my warm shoes, would have me believe the water was cold. My hands, having been in the cold air, would have me believe the water was warm. The water temperature was the same, it hadn’t changed. But my experience of it, my perception of it, was quite different depending on which part of my body was submerged in the water.   This perceptual illusion can occur not only with one’s physical senses, but with one’s thinking and cognitive processes as well. We can experience the same situation very differently, depending on our perspective and the narrative we tell ourselves about a situation. This, in turn, can affect how we feel and how we react. This concept is at the core of cognitive-behavioral therapy.  Think about a situation such as your co-worker walking past you with their head looking down in their phone, not even acknowledging you. If you are already in a bad mood or stressed from experiences that occurred earlier in the day or week, you might interpr...
Source: World of Psychology - Category: Psychiatry & Psychology Authors: Tags: Anxiety and Panic Mindfulness Self-Help Stress Perspective Source Type: blogs