Mindfulness Meditation
“If you want to conquer the anxiety of life, live in the moment, live in the breath.” ― Amit Ray
Have you ever really lived in the moment? In a world that never sleeps not many people have time to think about “smelling the roses”. Mindfulness encourages you to be intensely aware of what you're sensing and feeling in the present moment. Rooted in 2,500-year-old Buddhist meditation teachings, western mindfulness practices has made its way into mainstream science and medicine. Helping to treat a variety of conditions from depression, anxiety, and substance use to chronic disease and pain.
What is Mindfulness Meditation?
Mindfulness meditation is a practice of mental training that enhances one’s ability to non-judgmentally be in the present moment; to understand one’s direct experience. To be mindful is to observe and label thoughts, feelings, and sensations in the body in an objective manner. Mindfulness focuses on two key concepts: awareness and acceptance. Awareness is the knowledge and ability to focus attention on inner processes and experiences, such as the experience of the present moment. Acceptance is the ability to observe and acknowledge—rather than judge or avoid—those streams of thought.
Why Practice Mindfulness?
Mindfulness meditation helps one develop the ability to stay in contact with the present moment, with a sustained, non-defensive and nonreactive awareness. This practice helps direct attention away from stress by helping to manage one’s negative thoughts and emotions. Evidence supports that mindfulness meditation has physical, psychological, and social benefits.
Good for the mind: Routine mindfulness practice has been connected to reports of higher self-esteem and self-compassion these positive emotions lead to higher levels of life satisfaction.
Helps you focus: Mindfulness practices have been shown to enhance performance on tasks by facilitating sustained attention and improved competency
Enhance your relationships: Daily mindfulness helps improve one’s sense of empathy for others. Additionally, individuals are perceived by others as having a more positive affect.
Good for business: Mindfulness practices may help make leaders more confident, improve creativity, reduce employees’ work exhaustion, and improve client satisfaction.
How To Be Mindful?
Evocation, a core element of motivational interviewing that looks to bring forth strengths, abilities, thoughts, and insights already within us in some form. The belief that the capacity for mindful awareness and practice is inherently apart of the human experience. This mindset helps facilitate openness for a more complete mindful experience.
We all naturally possess the ability to be mindful. However, mindfulness meditation is a practice. The more repetition you have the more readily available and efficient the skills will be when you need them.
Pay attention close attention to your breathing, especially when you’re feeling intense emotions. When you have negative thoughts, Stop and sit with your eyes open, half open or closed. Notice how the air from your breath moves in and out of your body.
Slow down, Notice—really notice—what you are sensing in a given moment. Bring intentional and undivided attention to the sights, sounds, and smells that ordinarily slip by without reaching your conscious awareness.
Bring awareness to your thoughts and emotions, recognize that they are brief and do not define you. In the moment openly welcome them in a non-defensive and nonreactive manner and accept them for what they, insight can free you from negative thought patterns.
Dial up into your body’s physical sensations, from the water hitting your skin in the shower to the way your favorite food tastes and smells, really experience the joy.
Find “micro-moments” of mindfulness throughout the day to reset your focus and sense of purpose.
When Should I Practice Mindfulness?
There is no straight forward answer to this question. Often times it depends on the type of mindfulness exercise you are planning and the reasoning behind the meditation. Simple mindfulness meditation can be practiced anywhere and anytime. However, for more structured meditation you may have to set aside time when you can be in a quiet place without distractions or interruptions.
At Metamorphosis Psychcierge we integrate a variety of non-medication based therapies like mindfulness meditation into the treatment plans of our clients. If you are looking for the support of an empathetic mental health professional request a consultation today. Our home-visit and TelePsych concierge model will provide you with the accessibility that you need to make your mental health a priority.
Dr. Moore looks forward to discussing how the psychcierge lifestyle can get you on the road to mental prosperity.
