MINDFULNESS
WHAT IS MINDFULNESS?
Mindfulness practices have existed for thousands of years. In fact, mindfulness has existed for at least 4,000 years in Yogic, Taoist, and Judaic traditions. Mindfulness refers to the act of bringing full conscious awareness to the present with openness, curiosity, and kindness. Mindfulness involves paying attention to your experiences as opposed to being “caught up” in your thinking. Even if your experience in the moment is difficult, painful, or unpleasant, you can be open and curious to it instead of avoiding or fighting it. Mindfulness allows you to achieve a greater sense of connection to yourself by learning how you think, feel, and behave at your deepest levels. Ultimately, you learn how to connect more deeply with yourself and others in your life whom you most care for.
HOW DOES IT WORK?
Through a dedicated practice, mindfulness allows you to build a capacity to be in the present moment. Although mindfulness can be practiced separate from a meditation practice, meditation presents a structured, effective format to initiate and improve a personal mindfulness practice. Research has demonstrated that maintaining a regular mindfulness practice alleviates symptoms of depression, anxiety, chronic pain, and significantly helps you manage stress.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT WITH MINDFULNESS?
- You will learn how to initiate your own individualized mindfulness practice.
- You will participate in mindfulness meditation in session with your therapist.
- Your therapist will assist you in effectively problem-solving any difficulties that may arise with setting a consistent mindfulness practice in your life.
- You will be provided with effective resources to help you initiate and maintain your practice, as well as continue the practice after you complete therapy.
NOTES ABOUT MINDFULNESS
Mindfulness does not mean “absence of thought” : One of the biggest misconceptions that people experience as they begin their own individual practice is a sense that they are not “doing it right” or cannot be “good meditators” if they are distracted by thoughts. This could not be further from the truth! It is normal and expected that you will be distracted by your thoughts while engaging in mindfulness practices. Mindfulness does not mean an absence of thought or thinking; rather, it means having full awareness of the present, and increasing awareness of thoughts that you may be having in the present moment. With mindfulness, you learn how to build a capacity to bring awareness to your thoughts, and let them come and go on their own instead of resisting them.
Mindfulness as a lifestyle practice: Mindfulness is most beneficial when maintained through your life, even after therapy has ended. It is easiest to understand the importance of incorporating mindfulness into your lifestyle through the lens of physical exercise. With exercise, you are never “finished” or “complete.” Rather, people integrate exercise as an ongoing practice in their lives to manage their overall physical and mental well-being. Mindfulness is much the same; you are never done, or at the pinnacle of your ability. Rather, you are incorporating a regular practice into your life to maintain overall health and wellness.
Consistency: Most research suggests that you benefit most from mindfulness by engaging in the practice on a regular basis. Ideally, you will learn how to engage in this practice on a daily or near-daily practice so that you are exposed to the maximum benefit.