Learning Mindfulness techniques can be one of the best gifts you give yourself. Mindfulness can greatly reduces stress, overwhelm, and anxiety. And it also increases happiness. Our Registered Counsellor Nancy Kearnan gives us the low down on Mindfulness in this Part 1 of 2 articles.
Mindfulness:
How It Can Help You Through Tough Times Moment By Moment
Sometimes we are going through situations that we actually have little, to no, control over such as a death of a loved one, a job loss, or another major life transition. In these times there is little we can do to actually change our mood.
Sometimes we just need to feel sad and there is nothing we can or (even should) do about it. This doesn’t mean that these feelings need to be constant, however. Using mindfulness skills can change how we feel in the moment.
Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations. The following are the seven principles of mindfulness developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn:
1) Non-judging: Be an impartial witness to your own experience. Become aware of the constant stream of judging that we usually have.
2) Patience: Accept the fact that things sometimes unfold in their own time. Allow for this.
3) Beginner’s Mind: Remaining open and curious allows us to be receptive to new possibilities and prevents us from getting stuck in the rut of our own expertise.
4) Trust: Develop a basic trust with yourself and your feelings. Know it’s OK to make mistakes.
5) Non-Striving: The goal is to be with yourself right here, right now. Pay attention to what is unfolding without trying to change anything.
6) Acceptance: See things as they are.
7) Letting Go: When we pay attention to our inner experience, we discover there are certain thoughts, emotions and situations the mind wants to hold onto. Let your experience be what it is right now.
Source: University of South Carolina
The next article (Part 2) will explore some easy mindfulness techniques to get you started.
This is great stuff, Nancy! Looking forward to reading Part 2 🙂
Nancy would love to work with you.
She works with Adults, Kids 2 yrs & older and Youth 13+.
Nancy is a Registered Counsellor who is extremely experienced.
She does excellent work with:
– Anxiety
– Depression
– Stress
– Addictions
– Parenting
– Trauma
– PTSD
– Grief and Loss
– Self Confidence
– Self Esteem
– Mental Health (Bipolar, OCD)
– Self harm
– Suicide Ideation
Book your appointment with NANCY, here.
Cheers to more mindfulness, less stress and more happiness,
Penney