On today’s episode of The Addicted Mind Podcast, Duane sits down with Tracy Kenela about “calming the chaos” and creating peace and calm in our lives.

Therapist and podcast host, Tracy discusses how she came to start studying “overwhelm” as a psychological concept. An expert in chaos, Tracy explains how chaotic factors contribute to our being overwhelmed.

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Traci breaks down the different kinds of shock and responses that may manifest when our brain confronts chaos. It seems as though people get addicted to chaos or the absence of chaos. These things really just distract people from addressing the issues that matter.

If you’ve grown up in chaos, it’s possible you’re reenacting chaos as a means of coping with trauma. Tracy and Duane both urge people in this case to seek counseling because they can break the cycle of chaos if they really want to.

There is a phenomenon of victimhood in chaos addiction, too. People tend to self-create this chaos to get the right kind of attention or reactions from people around them. This is different from legitimate chaos (like the kind that just shows up in your life), but you still will need to respond to the chaos. Having a strategy to respond to chaos could save your life.

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Tracy then briefly talks about how she would go about treating someone who may need help dealing with the chaos in their lives. She will validate the chaos first and then offer ways to “calm the shock.” This part is rather physical, honestly. She may offer ice or a heat pack—some people even respond to particularly strong smells. Anything to help counteract the shock.

She uses some motivational interviewing, but most of her work uses the trans-theoretical model. This model helps her to figure out at what point they’re at in regards to changing their behavior and moving away from the chaos. She then encourages her patients to take steps toward control. Even a small step like working on daily mindfulness can help you make huge gains in your focus and productivity.

Episode Link

theaddictedmind.com/106

What does coping with the chaos look like? It’s usually slower, Tracy says. Taking slow, deliberate steps. Taking deep breaths and moving slowly—these things will help you to become more mindful.

If you think you’re dealing with chaos, the first step is to talk to a professional to get help with relaxation tools and mindfulness practices.

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