Anxious? Tense? Overwhelmed?

Tap your Experiential Self

As you write today’s to-do list, you feel like a boulder is resting on your shoulders. Soon, your thoughts are not just racing, they’re chasing you— all the way upstairs into your bedroom, as you toss and turn at night, unable to shake your anxiety. The space between the stressor we’re experiencing and our emotional response to it is where the Experiential Self lives—it’s the part of us that helps us stay in the moment.

To foster the long-term peace of mind that springs from your Experiential Self, try mindfulness, advises Kushlev. He explains it’s simpler than you may think—and can even be delicious. “Though dedicated meditation is a proven way to improve mindfulness, or our ability to focus on the moment, there are easier ways to integrate it into our daily lives, from taking a few deep breaths to noticing what we’re experiencing, like the sensations, texture and flavor of eating a piece of delightful chocolate.”

Another great way to silence racing thoughts is to practice listening to the voice of your Experiential Self, suggests Linares. “Don’t overthink it—just follow your inclinations in the moment, whether they’re telling you to take a 3-minute walk outside or lie in the grass to take in your surroundings.” Such intentional activities ground you in the now and increase your sensory awareness, melting stress. In the end, focusing on your Core, Social and Experiential selves will boost your overall happiness, by reminding you just how many beautiful layers you truly have.