Happy Friday to you. Did you read that out loud? BeHave Your. Behavior. Have you thought about that word in this way? Behavior, it’s all yours. Have your own way with your behavior. Have your own way with what you do with your time, who you chat with, and what you want to do in life.
Remember when your mom or dad used to say, “Your behavior is out of control” or “Thank you for your exceptional behavior” (Or maybe just the first one. ;)
Your parents talked to you about the choices that you made with your body, what you did with it, where you took it, how many toys your picked up, and how many times you pushed your sister in the carseat next to you. And you listened to them talk to you about your behavior. Because it didn't feel like you could control it as a child, but now you’re all grown up and you see that you can.
A lot of times, when someone is having low self-esteem, depressive symptoms such as sleeping too much or anhedonia (lack of pleasure in typical activities), anxious preoccupation, stress in the work place, lack of connection in a relationship (the list goes on and on) it’s because they aren’t engaging in the right behavior that makes them feel good. In private practice, my patients are typically asked in this scenario to force his or her self out the door for a social engagement or physical activity during this time. Why? To have YOUR own way with your body. And to show that you have your own behavior in control.
This is called behavioral activation. In private practice, I tailor it to the individual persons likes and needs. In the hospital setting, I typically tailor it to what we can get out a result of their brain injury.
Sometimes, there are voices within you that make you think, “I can’t leave the house” or “I really don’t want to go to the gym” or “The thought of putting my three children in their carseats to leave is just not a happy place”.
But 9.9 times out of 10, if you BeHave Your own way, and you make yourself pop up and go, you never regret it. It makes you feel good, it sends those amazing drugs called neurotransmitters flowing in the right places, and you can relax just a little. BeHave Your. Do it your way this weekend.
Shine on,
Dr. Kate
Dr. Kate Cummins is a Licensed Clinical Psychologist based out of Los Angeles, California. I am now accepting new patients in my private practice and through Skype (telehealth). Please look at my website, www.drkatecummins.com and contact me with any questions you may have (424)488-9973 or drkatecummins@gmail.com. This information is meant for education and knowledge expansion. This blog post is not a form of mental health treatment or individual clinical work.
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