Mindfulness: How Being Present Can Heal

Many of us are familiar with the concept of mindfulness. The term brings to mind a person sitting with their eyes shut and legs crossed in a quiet, dimly-lit room. It often gets lumped together with yoga and meditation.

While mindfulness is commonly practiced in those settings, it can also be used in a therapeutic capacity. Mindfulness prompts us to be aware of and focused on the present moment. When we are practicing mindfulness, we are not ruminating on the past or projecting into the future. Instead, our attention is on now. 

Common questions that come up during mindfulness therapy are:

• What is happening at this moment?

• What am I feeling right now?

• Why am I feeling this way?

• How do these emotions feel in my body?

Mindfulness exercises can include:

• Breathwork

Guided breathing exercises 

• Silent Meditation

A traditional meditative practice where you focus on your breath instead of your thoughts

• Guided Meditation

Meditation that centers the mind on visualizations 

• Body Scans

Methodically checking in with each part of your body and taking note of how it feels

When used in therapy, mindfulness techniques can assist us in breaking out of negative thought patterns, and ground us in the present when we find ourselves fixating on things outside of our control. 

References:

What is Mindfulness Therapy, by Ashley Olivine, Ph.D., MPH in Verywell Health

Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy in Psychology Today

What is Mindfulness, on the Psych Hub channel on Youtube