The Cyan Project

We all have been in a situation when we felt o verpowered by our thoughts. We draw negative conclusions from these thoughts which weren't necessarily true. The idea that you can’t always control what happens to you, but you can control how you react to it. We start by understanding that it is in our own power to see a situation through a different perspective.  Reframing is simply coming up with different interpretation of an event or experience. It is a part of cognitive behavioural therapy which helps you to change the way you perceive an event or experience therefore change the way you feel about it. It may seem overwhelmingly difficult to change your own ways of thinking, it is actually comparable to any other skill, it is hard when you first begin, but with practice, you will find it easier and easier to challenge and reframe your own negative thoughts and beliefs. Use these 6 steps to reframe your thoughts: 1. Write down the situation Describe the situation you are in which ...

It can be difficult to prioritize your task and you may feel overwhelmed and confused  when you are unable to complete your work in time.  In this article we will talk about 3 methods that will help you prioritize and plan out your day better:  Time blocking method  Time blocking simply means planning your day in advance  Allot specific hours to specific task This will help you to determine in advance what exactly you want to accomplish  Write down the task details in your to-do list/calendar - write specific date and time  Block out proactive and reactive block  Proactive block: Proactive blocks are when you focus on important tasks that you must get done. Reactive block:  Reactive blocks are when you allow time for requests and interruptions. Most important task (MIT) method MIT method is basically about focussing on what's important at the moment  Write down 3 tasks that are most important and focus only on these tasks Emphasis...

“Anything that’s human is mentionable, and anything that is mentionable can be more manageable. When we can talk about our feelings, they become less overwhelming, less upsetting, and less scary.”  -Fred Rogers Contrary to popular beliefs, you do not have to be the brink of meltdown to seek therapy. Life is difficult enough and we shouldn’t expect that we have to go through it all on our own. You have just booked your first appointment for therapy session but you are not really sure how it works or what you want to gain through it. You are not sure if you even need therapy or will this solve the problem you are facing.  In this article I'll try to address these concerns and provide you a brief introduction about what really happen in therapy.  Your first meeting will be different from your future visits. The thought of opening up to a stranger can be intimidating. Your first session would primarily be about establishing a rapport. It is important that you feel comfortable...

Tapping into your inner world of emotions Emotional Freedom Technique (EFT) is an alternate form of therapy which makes use of tapping or acupressure to reduce emotional and physical pain. According to Gary Craig (who developed this technique), tapping different parts of the body helps balance energy and reduces distress. This technique of tapping is derived from the Chinese technique of acupressure. Acupressure combined with modern psychology resulted in the development of EFT. Tapping with the fingertips on specific meridian endpoints of the body, while focusing on negative emotions or physical sensations, helps to calm the nervous system, rewire the brain to respond in healthier ways, and restore the body’s balance of energy. Tapping emphasizes on using mind-body connection. It takes into account the fact that physical and mental wellbeing are connected and interrelated. It emphasizes the connection between physical pain and emotional states. EFT is based on the concept of tapping e...

How positive self-talk can do wonders in your life…. There is a voice inside our head which has a huge impact on you and the way you live your life. We are in constant dialogue with ourselves. This dialogue ranges from basic instruction such as how to plan a day to more complex scenarios and dilemmas we face every day. Self-talk is the internal narrative that we hold about ourselves. Self-talk is often a mix of our conscious and unconscious thoughts and beliefs that we hold about ourselves and the world around us. Self-talk can be both positive and negative. Do you hear yourself criticizing your actions? Do you hear yourself saying that “You can do this”? These are examples of negative self-talk. The negative self-talk is based on our preconceived notions that “you are not good enough”, “life is difficult”, “people are not trustworthy.” Let’s focus on positive self-talk. Positive self-talk motivates and encourages you to become better at things, do your work, and helps you become more ...

So many articles, posts, info-graphics, videos, posters recommend sharing and talking to someone as a suggestion or advice when it comes to thoughts plaguing your mind, or when there is a feeling of unwell. But did it ever occur to you why Talking with someone can be helpful? Let's consider an example, Senorita is a 50-year-old woman who works as a nurse. She is a mother of two 18 and 12-year-old daughters and looks after her ailing mother. Her job profile, two teenagers running rampant, and caring for an elder in the house keeps her busy so much that despite being tired, she is unable to fall in a deep sleep. One day, during her 15-minute break in the hospital, found her talking to a fellow nurse. They incidentally talked about their issues. On hearing Senoritas side of the story, the colleague squeezed her hand. That day Senorita somehow reached home, finished all her duties, and sat with her daughters and mother laughing. In this story, Senorita merely shared her st...

Good communication is the key to healthy relationship. It sounds cliché but it’s true. For you to have a healthy relationship, you need to talk openly and be a good listener which in turn improves your problem solving skills and you can solve a conflict easily. Here are a few ways which will help you communicate better Be an active listener “The biggest communication problem is we do not listen to understand. We listen to reply.” -Anonymous Communication isn't just about talking, it's about being an active listener. Knowing that you are being heard helps one feel understood and connecte d. Active listening is being fully present, you acknowledge what your partner is expressing and respond with empathy. Through active listening you are less likely to jump in with a "quick fix" when the other person really just wants to be heard. Try out this activity for active listening:  Person X gets 15 minutes to talk about their day, while person Y is listening actively and with a...

There is a saying that there is no such thing as a bad question. However, if you ask the wrong questions the odds are the answer you receive will not be the one you are looking for.  In order to get a good answer we must learn to ask good question.  So what constitutes  a good question ? The following 5 steps describe the process of asking a good question. Each question has guiding steps attached to it Focus What specifically do you want to know? What information are you missing Is this a simple yes or no query Are you looking for in-depth knowledge What sources are available to you  Purpose Why are you asking this question and what will you do with the information? Do you want to gather facts or opinions Do you need simple clarification Is there a different perspective that you want to offer Are you looking for general or specific information Intent Are you asking the question are of curiosity or frustration and how do you want people to respond? Do you want the ans...