Importance Of Mindfulness

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Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy Mindfulness; a capacity we have by virtue of being human, involves taking time to press pause and refresh during the day, revitalising brain functioning. As paradoxical as it may seem, the busy person who takes more time out for mindfulness mediation in the day, is in fact the more productive. Mindfulness is conducive to retaining and recalling information, creativity, insight and importantly, responding to life's challenges from a calmer, clearer perspective. Mindfulness is a healthy way of responding to the needs of the human mind. Mindfulness based therapy is the name given to an awareness that emerges when we focus attention on particular aspects of our experience in the present moment. Mindfulness…show more content…
It is simply about calmly observing, in a detached manner, so that you can become more aware and present, focused on the ‘here and now’. ‘I am learning the technique of mindfulness’ Mindfulness is a practice rather than a technique. It is a practice of becoming more aware, accepting, non-striving and non-judgemental. Becoming calm, relaxed and contented is a by-product of mindfully, paying attention to thoughts, feelings and sensations. ‘My mind won’t go blank, what is wrong with me! Am I doing it wrong? My mind keeps wandering’. That’s okay. That is natural, that is the way our mind works. Our mind contains thousands of thoughts a day (estimated at 60,000). Our minds naturally remain alert and vigilant. This is a mechanism we have evolved in order to keep us safe. We are naturally vigilant for potential signs of threat or danger, thus the mind stays active when using mindfulness. When the mind wanders, recognise that it’s okay for the mind to wander to thoughts even if they are unhelpful thoughts. Calmly accepting the fact that the mind has wandered and patiently bringing it back to the ‘here and now’, this is central to the practice of…show more content…
• How did you feel when your day began? • Did you rush through your daily morning activities, operating on auto-pilot or did you take time to experience the activities which began your day? • At varying points throughout the day did you notice the rhythm and pace of your breath? • At varying points throughout the day did you notice whether your body was relaxed or calm? • Reflecting back, can you remember details of your surroundings? (e.g., outdoors noticed flowers, trees, indoors in a room with very little light coming in etc.). • What did you eat today? • How did your breakfast taste? • Was your lunch satisfying? Did you notice every bite? Did you enjoy every bite? • Did you encounter any potentially stressful of anxiety provoking situations today? If so, how did you respond? Did you respond or react? What was the experience like for you? Could you have handled anything differently, is there anything you learned about your approach to the experience? Were you very pleased and content with how you were
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