The relationship between interoception and AI
Oh my, how did it get to be September?? I know time is relative and all, so as we get older, it does indeed seem to go faster. So here we are!
Here are five snippets of my world from coaching, meditation and breathwork in honour of “Friday Feels” – from tears and Artificial Intelligence, to Wim Hof and embracing your future self!
1. Song of the week
Strong by London Grammar (Spotify or YouTube)
I played this song at the end of my weekly Wednesday online breathwork session this week. and people commented how emotionally evocative this song felt. Breathe and feel it too!
2. Quote of the week
“Heaven knows we need never be ashamed of our tears, for they are rain upon the blinding dust of earth, overlying our hard hearts.” Charles Dickens, Great Expectations (see my post on Instagram)
Aren’t those such lovely words and beautiful imagery? In a similar vein, I recall someone saying that tears were a natural part of the process as we connect with our hearts. It’s like a wall of ice around the heart begins to melt, and that’s where our tears come from. When we can understand our emotions in this way, we can let go of shaming them.
Next Friday (10th September), I’m hosting a free mindset coaching class on how we can work WITH our emotions as a way to figure out who we are and what we want from life. Come join me! Register here for the free coaching class: https://bit.ly/3gTmAbL
3. Practice of the week
Breathing exercises! I am a fan of Wim Hof and this 11-minute three rounds of deep breaths is one I use multiple times a week. It’s a handy practice to do in the morning, or as a break in the day. This style of breathwork is a bit more dynamic and closer to what is known as Tummo breathing. Bookmark the YouTube clip to keep it handy. All the love, all the power!
4. Article of the week
I recently did some filming with a mental health tech start up, Fluxxt Group. One of their founders is a former DeepMind researcher (Google bought DeepMind back in 2014). As Artificial Intelligence specialists, Fluxxt use AI to analyse human behaviour to support positive mental health. I’m supporting their team with developing specialist content, specifically ways to combat stress at work using the mind AND the body. Read six ways to combat stress at work here.
Side note: The interface of humans and technology is at such a fascinating juncture. I hope we humans can continue to build a better connection to our bodies, and use AI to help us thrive, rather than use AI to outsource our own felt-sense and autonomy over our emotions and mental health. Through our sense of interoception – our ability to sense the body from the inside (e.g. hunger, needing the loo, your heart beat, depth of breath, AND emotions) – you can tune into information your body is sending you. Tech can tell you your heart’s BPM, but can you actually *feel* your heart beating within your chest? Try it 🙂 The skill of interoception – this mind-body connection – is directly linked to emotional intelligence.
I sometimes wonder if people are using technology to bypass the human experience altogether! The ultimate “living in our heads” scenario, by controlling and suppressing the body (even being disgusted and afraid by our bodies in their natural state is another form of suppression) and relying on an external device to tell us how to live [Ok, Computer]. Aaaanyway! That’s a rant for another time 🙂
5. A client win I’m celebrating this week
“What does you in 10 years’ time have to say?”
I asked one of my clients this question. We’d been playing around with creating a vision for her life in 10 years’ time, and connecting to that version of herself. Knowing that the answers are inside of you is so empowering. My client felt excited by the clarity that came with checking in with her future self. She could also see how seeds of that future life and her bigger goals were already HERE in this present moment.
That future version of you is already here! The potential of YOU in 10 years’ time exists within you now.
What does she think?
What advice does she have for you NOW?
It can be so revealing to journal about this daily or whenever you feel stuck. You can replace “future self” with “higher self” too and see what comes up with that!
Upcoming events
“Start Being So Emotional” – Free Mindset Coaching Class
I love hosting these classes! In this session, I’ll show you how you can work WITH your emotions, taking ownership of your mental health AND starting to get clear on what changes and goals you want in life. Come join me! Friday 10th September at 13:00 BST. Register here for the free coaching class: https://bit.ly/3gTmAbL
Big love,
Briony x
