TINA: all the memories you have of swimming that have been
really fun and good. Can you think of a good swimming
experience?SON: Sure, when I was swimming with Henry last week.
TINA: Right. Good. And you can also talk to your brain.
SON: Huh?
TINA:
Seriously. In fact, this is one of the best things you can do.
You can say, “Brain, thanks for trying to keep me safe and
protect me, but I don’t need to be afraid of swimming
anymore. These are new lessons with a new teacher, a new
pool, and I’m a new kid who already knows how to swim.
So, brain, I’m just going to blow out the butterflies from
my stomach with some big, slow breaths, like this. And I’m
going to focus on the good stuff about swimming.” Does
that seem weird, to talk to your brain like that?SON: Kind of.
TINA:
I know, it’s funny and kind of strange. But do you see how
it could work? What’s something you could tell your brain
to make your body calm down and make you feel safer and
feel good about going to swimming lessons? What could
you say in your mind?SON: Those bad swimming lessons were just in the past. Now