If you have taken a second to look around my website you may have noticed that I am a big fan of "mindfulness"; it is true-I love mindfulness. I use it personally in my day to day life/relationships with others and I use it with my teen and adult clients as well. This is all well and good if you have previous experience with mindfulness-but if you don't? You have no idea what I am talking about. I wanted to take a second to address the question, "what is mindfulness"? Some have asked me if it is a religion? A cult practice? A bunch of hocus pocus?
Great questions!
Mindfulness is not a religion, a cult or many scientific studies support that it isn't hocus pocus either. Mindfulness originated in ancient meditative practices but it is very applicable to our modern world.
According to John Kabat-Zinn Mindfulness is:
"mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and non judgmentally."
That's a big statement but let's break it down in to smaller bits. When I am working with a client I often notice that people are troubled by thoughts that are not in the moment; often they are possible outcomes that may be days and even years away-or not at all. So when using mindfulness with my clients I try to pause the thoughts and assist the client in paying attention to the moment we are in in a calm and supported way. Next, I help them look at their feelings and thoughts that were just running wild-we take a calm approach at looking at how the thoughts are real in this moment-and most of all we are kind to ourselves for thinking those thoughts-you wouldn't believe just how judgmental we can be...to ourselves!
Still a bit stumped?
Above describes the overarching goal of using mindfulness in therapy-but you may be wondering HOW?
Well, there are a number of ways to slow down the anxiety in our brain. The most common ones I use are various/specific meditation techniques (both in and out of the office), helping clients cultivate gratitude for themselves and the present moment and becoming more aware of how our body stores stress on a daily basis-just to name a few. These are just some of the techniques I use in order to help people become in control of their thoughts instead of their thoughts controlling their life.
Ok you've made it this far, you may be wondering WHY?
Have you ever driven home and not remembered anything about how you go there? Or have you had a strange stomachache or a twitchy eye that you can't escape? Have you found yourself looking everywhere for your missing cell phone only to realize that you are talking on the missing cell phone?
You wouldn't believe how good this can feel! Some positive results of mindfulness can be:
Still have questions? Do you think you could benefit from mindfulness?
Feel free to give me a call for a free phone consultation!
Great questions!
Mindfulness is not a religion, a cult or many scientific studies support that it isn't hocus pocus either. Mindfulness originated in ancient meditative practices but it is very applicable to our modern world.
According to John Kabat-Zinn Mindfulness is:
"mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and non judgmentally."
That's a big statement but let's break it down in to smaller bits. When I am working with a client I often notice that people are troubled by thoughts that are not in the moment; often they are possible outcomes that may be days and even years away-or not at all. So when using mindfulness with my clients I try to pause the thoughts and assist the client in paying attention to the moment we are in in a calm and supported way. Next, I help them look at their feelings and thoughts that were just running wild-we take a calm approach at looking at how the thoughts are real in this moment-and most of all we are kind to ourselves for thinking those thoughts-you wouldn't believe just how judgmental we can be...to ourselves!
Still a bit stumped?
Above describes the overarching goal of using mindfulness in therapy-but you may be wondering HOW?
Well, there are a number of ways to slow down the anxiety in our brain. The most common ones I use are various/specific meditation techniques (both in and out of the office), helping clients cultivate gratitude for themselves and the present moment and becoming more aware of how our body stores stress on a daily basis-just to name a few. These are just some of the techniques I use in order to help people become in control of their thoughts instead of their thoughts controlling their life.
Ok you've made it this far, you may be wondering WHY?
Have you ever driven home and not remembered anything about how you go there? Or have you had a strange stomachache or a twitchy eye that you can't escape? Have you found yourself looking everywhere for your missing cell phone only to realize that you are talking on the missing cell phone?
You wouldn't believe how good this can feel! Some positive results of mindfulness can be:
- Recognize, slow down or stop automatic and habitual reactions.
- Respond more effectively to complex or difficult situations.
- See situations more clearly
- Become more creative
- Achieve balance and resilience at work and at home
Still have questions? Do you think you could benefit from mindfulness?
Feel free to give me a call for a free phone consultation!
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