Floating Head Syndrome - Do you have it? Here is how you can change it!

*photo by Michelle Cooper

Floating Head Syndrome - Symptoms, Side Effects, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Symptoms

Do you find yourself walking into a room and not remembering how you got there? Do your thoughts race from one topic to the next? Do you ruminate on the same thoughts over and over? Do you often go through the motions of your day lost in thought? Do you find yourself participating in events without being present and enjoying the moment because your mind is racing? Are you present in the important moments of your life or more focused on thinking about planning the next moment?

Side Effects

Being lost in the constant spin of our thoughts can result in a feeling of being overwhelmed, increased stress, anxiousness, lack of motivation, decrease productivity, decreased joy, and a feeling of exhaustion without physical exertion.

Diagnosis

Floating Head Syndrome is a term I use to describe when our thoughts disconnect us from our body. It is not a medical diagnosis but purely a descriptive term I use to describe a complex group of symptoms. A head full of racing thoughts floating through each day with our body never truly connecting with the space or the people that surround us is Floating Head Syndrome, There is no medical test to diagnose this. Self awareness is the key!

Treatment

If you experience Floating Head Syndrome, you can change it! A nervous system calming practice is essential.

Activities that challenge your coordination, balance, and memory while including breathing all work together to calm the nervous system. Social interaction with these activities add extra benefits. Beware - if you choose an activity that is too complex it can lead to increased symptoms. So, it is important to challenge yourself but not to the point of frustration. Start at the right level and build.

Tai Chi and Qi Gong check all of the boxes for treatment of Floating Head Syndrome! Tai Chi means Moving Energy and is a series of flowing movements that focus on balance, coordination, and breathing. Qi Gong means Cultivating Energy through visualization, movement, repetition, breath work. A regular practice including the combination of both practices is an excellent way to treat Floating Head Syndrome!

To learn how to develop your own practice of Tai Chi and Qi Gong, contact

Michelle Cooper, MPT, BScEd, CAFCI, e-mail: michellecooperpt@gmail.com and check out my website for more information: michellecooperpt.com .