Yesterday was one of those days when my mind felt like it was running a marathon without any water breaks. My mental health challenges—Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorder, and PTSD—decided to throw a party in my head, and I wasn’t exactly on the guest list. So, I took a long walk in the park, hoping some fresh air would help me catch my breath. Just when I thought I had the park to myself, who do I see? None other than Winnie the Pooh and Piglet. They weren’t practicing yoga or birdwatching; they were practicing something far more familiar to me—navigating life’s emotional twists and turns.
Pooh waddled up to me, looking unusually serious for a bear with a sweet tooth. “Bruce,” he said, his voice tinged with concern, “Piglet’s anxiety is running wild, and it’s consuming him. It’s causing him problems throughout the day, and I just don’t know how to help him.”
Now, Pooh and I have had these chats before. We’ve talked about the Mental Health Warrior Program I created—a self-help approach rooted in my own struggles. Pooh, being the thoughtful bear he is, remembered my book—84 Tools of a Mental Health Warrior—and asked if I could recommend something to help Piglet when his thoughts start racing and anxiety takes over.
I knew exactly what tool would work: the “Swerve” Tool. I use it many times a week to keep my emotions or thoughts from racing with my challenges and I explained how to use the tool, and we talked about three examples.
The "Swerve" Tool
The "Swerve" technique is a mental health tool designed to help stop racing thoughts, out-of-control anxiety, and negative thinking patterns. By using the power of a simple word, "Swerve," we can interrupt these overwhelming emotions and regain control of our thoughts and actions.
As Pooh and Piglet listened intently, I broke down how it works:
Step 1: Recognize the Onset of Racing Thoughts or Anxiety:
I explained to Pooh and Piglet that the first step is to recognize when anxiety or racing thoughts begin to take hold. It’s like spotting a storm cloud on the horizon; you can’t stop the storm, but you can prepare for it.
Step 2: Say "Swerve" Silently or Out Loud:
When you feel those thoughts speeding up, you say “Swerve” either in your head or out loud. It’s a way of telling your brain to take a sharp turn, to avoid the mental collision that anxiety is trying to steer you into.
Step 3: Pause and Regroup:
After saying “Swerve,” you allow yourself a momentary pause. This is the key step where you regain control, much like Pooh pauses before making a crucial decision—like whether to have one jar of honey or two.
Step 4: Assess and Decide:
Finally, from this calmer state, you can assess the situation and decide on your next steps. It’s like navigating the Hundred Acre Wood—you can’t always avoid the pitfalls, but you can choose the best path forward.
Pooh’s Example: Helping Piglet "Swerve" Away from Worry
Piglet, known for his constant fretting, often gets overwhelmed by the simplest of things—like deciding what color scarf to wear. Pooh told me how Piglet would often spend hours pacing, wringing his tiny hands, paralyzed by his own thoughts. Even picking a scarf for a crisp day became an overwhelming task.
"One day," Pooh recounted, "Piglet had to choose between a green scarf and a yellow one. You would think it was a life-or-death decision with how much he worried! So, I decided we needed a solution, and that’s when we remembered your 'Swerve' tool."
They gave it a try. Whenever Piglet's anxiety began bubbling up—like when he couldn’t decide which scarf to wear—he’d say “Swerve,” pause, take a breath, and then regroup. The decision-making process suddenly became lighter, and before long, Piglet was proudly wearing his green scarf with newfound confidence.
Your Turn:
If you, like Piglet, find yourself getting anxious over small decisions, try saying “Swerve” to interrupt those thoughts. Take a moment to breathe, then calmly decide on the best course of action. It’s not about avoiding the problem; it’s about giving yourself a break from the mental turmoil.
Piglet’s Example: Swerving Away from Panic
Another day, Piglet found himself caught in an unexpected gust of wind, which sent the leaves flying and his anxiety soaring. Piglet, as you might imagine, went into full-blown panic mode. His tiny legs scurried in every direction as if the wind were chasing him down!
That’s when Pooh remembered the “Swerve” tool. "Piglet, Swerve!" Pooh called out, and to Piglet's credit, he gave it a try. He stopped, said “Swerve” out loud, paused, and regrouped. The wind was still blowing, but Piglet no longer felt trapped in his panic. He realized he could control how he reacted, even if he couldn’t control the wind.
Your Turn:
In moments of unexpected stress, say “Swerve” to break the chain of panic. Give yourself a brief mental vacation from the situation, then return with a clearer, calmer perspective.
Pooh’s Example: Swerving Away from Self-Doubt
Even the ever-optimistic Pooh has moments of self-doubt, particularly when he’s run out of honey and has to figure out how to get more. “Sometimes,” Pooh confided, “I worry that I’ll never find more honey, and what kind of bear would I be without honey?”
Pooh explained how he used the “Swerve” tool to stop these thoughts in their tracks. One day, after a particularly honeyless morning, Pooh found himself spiraling into doubt. Would he ever find honey again? Should he give up searching? He took a deep breath, said “Swerve,” and paused. From this calmer place, Pooh was able to remember that there’s always a way—whether it’s asking Rabbit for advice or visiting a new part of the forest, there’s always another solution.
Your Turn:
When self-doubt starts to creep in, say “Swerve” to push those negative thoughts aside. Allow yourself to regroup and then tackle the challenge with renewed confidence.
The Humorous Side of "Swerve"
As I shared this with Pooh and Piglet, they both started practicing saying “Swerve” in different tones and volumes. It wasn’t long before we were all laughing—imagining ourselves swerving left and right to avoid imaginary obstacles. The humor lightened the mood, making the technique even more effective.
Conclusion: Embracing the "Swerve" in Your Life
As our chat came to an end, I felt a wave of relief wash over me. The conversation had reminded me of the power of the "Swerve" tool—how it helps me navigate the challenges of Bipolar, Alcoholism, Anxiety Disorder, and PTSD. And seeing Pooh and Piglet embrace it, too, was heartwarming.
As we parted ways I gave Pooh a copy of my book—84 Tools of a Mental Health Warrior—he looked at me with gratitude. “Thank you, Bruce. I feel better knowing that I can help Piglet with this tool. It’s simple, but it’s powerful!”
And that’s the truth of it. Sometimes, the simplest tools are the most effective. So, whether you’re battling anxiety like Piglet or just trying to make it through the day, remember to "Swerve." Because when you do, you’re not just avoiding the obstacles—you’re taking control of your path, one calm, collected step at a time.
Bruce Schutter
(Creator of the Mental Health Warrior Program and Challenge Coin)
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