Any time I hear about someone who goes to therapy and is suddenly taking up a new hobby or activity, I smile. I know that it was probably their therapist who recommended doing something new, nurturing, or just plain fun. Therapy, especially processing traumatic memories, can be a heavier part of treatment. Bringing in joy, however, is equally important. Some clients recognize this instinctively and jump into healthy, pleasurable activities without much prompting. Others are more hesitant to get outside of their comfort zone. Here are some strategies to inspire them to get out of their routine and try new things.
1. Help them make a list of activities they’d like to try. Ask: “What would you like to do if fear wasn’t an issue?” Maybe the list includes things such as: traveling somewhere new, signing up for an art class, volunteering at an animal shelter, or taking up gardening. Next, discuss the possibility of taking a small step toward the least anxiety-provoking activity on the list.
2. Teach clients self-regulation strategies to help them expand their tolerance for change, novelty, and even joy. For example, you can teach them to manage discomfort by breathing from their diaphragm and prolonging their exhales.
3. Remind clients that engaging in new activities can awaken a sense of possibility and hope. Something as simple as trying a new recipe or clothing style can expand their comfort zone and tolerance for change. In other words, new activities can help them get unstuck and create new neural pathways to personal growth.
Anna Kress, PsyD, is a Princeton University-trained clinical psychologist with more than twenty years of experience helping people heal past wounds and manifest the life they’ve always wanted. Her work has been featured in a variety of popular media, and her private practice is based in Princeton, NJ. For more, visit www.drannakress.com.
Living Untethered: Release Your Past and Soar into Unlimited Freedom