Dear Kristin123:

So as you drive, practice switching from thinking (the wandering mind, the mode of the brain when it is free to wonder because you either are not in engaged in a task or the task you are engaged in is of the automatic kind, like driving, washing dishes, etc.) to sensing with one of the five senses, mainly- while driving- feeling the wheel with your hands, your breathing, sounds. While you are focused on a sense, you will not be thinking and that somehow calms the fog created by the overthinking before the switch.

Perhaps there are guided meditation recordings to do while driving that you can download or calming music might do it as well.

Regarding god and religion, one point: if it still causes you comfort- fine, but if it causes you distress because of what is called “cognitive dissonance” as in you trying to believe what doesn’t make sense to you, or being pressured to ignore your own logic so to fit in and enjoy the desired comfort- well, that caused me distress when I was in that position.

I would so very much like to be helpful to you, somehow, a little bit at the least because you have such an important job and position, being a mother to a young child. You also have a marriage, and a career, a new job about to start. This all could be exciting for you if you keep your anxiety level down. You can even enjoy all this if you stay present and pay attention to the moment.

With all that is on your plate, what is the most important thing that you can do?

Whatever you are doing at the moment. Try to adapt this attitude: being engaged in whatever you are doing now, as if it was the most important thing that you need to do.

anita