Humming and Singing

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By: Selma Lewis
How to Avoid Getting Your Buttons Pressed by Others

When we sing or hum, we're using the same part of the brain that also thinks about things that make us angry or upset.” - Selma Lewis

Have you ever been in a meeting with someone you're really annoyed with, yet you know you cannot just leave the meeting? It could be with a group of friends, colleagues, or relatives— people who can make you angry and feel powerless because you don’t want to answer them back.

I know for me, there's certain people who push buttons because I grew up with a very critical mother. So, when somebody's giving me orders, micromanaging me, or talking about politics in a way I don't like— I don't want to engage with that.

In this post, I'm going to teach you a simple and fun technique for disengaging so that you can still be there physically, but mentally and emotionally, you will be able to stay calm, keep your cool, and not get your buttons pressed.

In fact, you can sit there, look awake and attentive, but be singing and humming on the inside :)

The Humming & Singing Exercise

So, picture yourself at some place where you know there are people who know how to push your buttons. And just picture yourself humming your favorite song from childhood, maybe— some tune you know very well.

Have that tune playing going over and over in your mind's eye— you do not have to do this out loud to be effective.

Feel yourself— as you think of this situation that's upsetting— feel yourself simply calming down as you begin to hum or sing. And, look completely normal on the outside.

Nobody knows what you're doing— it's like a secret hideaway.

I do this when I'm around people wo annoy me. I also do it when I'm in long boring meetings, when people are pontificating if you know what I mean.

When we sing or hum, we're using the same part of the brain that also thinks about things that make us angry or upset.

So, singing and humming is a great way to short cut all that input of negative thought coming to you— you can be calm on the outside and calm right here.

That's my tip for today— a good technique for calming down no matter what!

Thank you for listening, and have a great life.