mindfulness

What is mindfulness?

In today’s world, we are constantly busy or under pressure with not enough time. And we are endlessly bombarded with information from technology. The chances are you will be trying to get through your to-do list to get things done without really stopping and being aware of the experience or how you are.

Research shows that most of us are on “auto-pilot” 46.9% of the time. Our minds are thinking all the time. The way we think, and our actual thoughts affect how we feel and act.  For example, if you think a lot about worrying past or future events, you may feel low or anxious. If this downward spiral of unhelpful thoughts continues, you may feel overwhelmed and stressed.

 

Mindfulness is a skill you can learn to help break this cycle. It requires making a focussed effort to notice what’s happening in the present moment in your mind, body and environment, without judging the experience. It is not religious or spiritual. Although mindfulness has roots in Buddhism and meditation, you don’t have to have any belief system to learn this potentially life-changing technique.

It aims to help you;

  • become more self-aware
  • feel calmer and less stressed
  • be more in control to choose how to respond to your thoughts and feelings
  • cope with difficult or unhelpful thoughts
  • be kinder towards yourself
  • find more enjoyment in daily life
  • feel more focussed and have clarity

 

How does mindfulness work?

The science behind mindfulness is that by using different techniques, you can bring your attention to the present moment so that you can:

  • Notice how thoughts come and go in your mind. They don’t have to define who you are, or your experience of the world, and you can let go of them.
  • Notice what your body is telling you. Tension or anxiety can often be felt in your body such as shallow breathing or faster heartbeat.
  • Create space between you and your thoughts, so you can react more calmly.

I woke up feeling stressed and anxious that left me feeling completely out of control. I practiced some mindfulness, I’m feeling calmer and more in control now.

Can mindfulness treat mental health problems?

Yes, it can help:

  • Common mental health problems. Studies show that practising mindfulness can help to manage depression, some anxiety problems and feelings of stress.

 

 

  • Complex mental health problems. Research into whether mindfulness could help treat more complex mental health conditions, such as psychosis and bipolar disorder, is still in the early stages. It’s not clear yet how helpful mindfulness could be for managing these conditions – but you might find it works for you.

 

Mindfulness practice does not take a lot of time, but patience and persistence are required. Many people find that it frees them from the pressures of time, so they have more of it to spend on other things.

What is Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy?

Mindfulness-based cognitive therapy is essentially a combination of mindfulness and cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) practices. The two approaches offer separate but interconnected benefits. The CBT techniques are mostly useful for counteracting distorted or unhelpful thoughts. The mindfulness techniques, on the other hand, are useful for learning to be at peace with the world, even when unwanted emotions threaten to overwhelm. Combined, they provide a framework for managing emotions so that they do not spiral into distorted thinking and mental illness.

Does Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy Work?

There is a considerable number of studies that indicate mindfulness-based mental health interventions, as well as MBCT in particular, are effective. These studies indicate that these interventions can be used to treat anxiety, depression, and other mood disorders, in addition to personality disorders such as BPD.

I have been doing the 8-week mindfulness course and it is helping me to cope with overcoming difficult situations and being more confident in identifying and managing my feelings. Its helping me feel more at ease about who I am and what I am about giving me time to be more comfortable in my skin. I feel happier and happy during practicing mindfulness. I feel calmer having self-acceptance about who I am and about handling challenges in life.

For further information about Mindfulness courses for you, your school or workplace, please contact Mita. She will happily discuss options with you.

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