Mindful Moments- What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness.

Whether you’re familiar with mindfulness or have only heard about it, research continues to suggest and provide evidence in support of the importance of mindfulness in an overall healthy lifestyle.  

What is Mindfulness?

Simply put, mindfulness is being aware of what’s happening in the present moment. It’s noticing your thoughts and feelings as they are occurring; it’s paying attention to what’s going on around you. It’s being in the moment and being aware of right now.

For many, so much time is spent dwelling or reliving their pasts or overwhelmed and worried about the future. More than likely, when you’re unable to let go of the past, depression, sadness, and regret may set in. If you’re struggling and stuck with thinking about the possible “what ifs”, chances are you’re likely feeling anxious or stressed.

Mindfulness is NOT rehashing past shit and NOT getting caught up in future shit that hasn’t even happened yet (like, what you hope will happen or worry might happen). It’s being aware of the current moment. It’s being in the NOW.

How to Practice Mindfulness

At its very basic level, from a Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT) perspective, Core Mindfulness skills refer to the two basic types of skills — The “What” and “How” skills.  The “What” skills refer “What” you do to take control of your mind, and the “How” skills refer to “How” you do it.

“What” mindfulness skills include: “observe”, “describe”, and “participate”.

When you practice “observing”, you simply OBSERVE. Yes, it really is just that. Don’t let that confuse you into believing that it’s an easy exercise to master. To observe means to allow yourself to experience whatever is there without trying to control anything. You take on the perspective of the curious observer, just taking things in and paying attention to our own unique, personal experience.  

When you “describe”, you are literally putting words on what you’re experiencing and vice versa. It means DESCRIBING your own personal experience as it’s happening.

“Participating” refers to when you dive into your experiences- you PARTICIPATE. This concept is probably familiar to you. It’s like when you completely lose yourself in whatever you are doing.

Mindfulness “How” skills include: “non-judgmentally”, “one-mindfully”, and “effectively”.

Being non-judgmental means that you’re only paying attention to the facts- the “what” and NOT forming opinions AND accepting “what is”. One-mindfully is exactly what it sounds like. It means doing one thing at a time and one thing only. When you’re effective, you focus on what works, like being skillful in each situation.  

Benefits of Mindfulness

Mindfulness provides you with the ability to step back and observe what is happening in the moment, which creates psychological space. When you’re able to get that separation, it allows you to NOT get caught up in whatever’s happening or automatically react to a situation. When you practice mindfulness, that psychological space you gain helps you make better decisions and allows for mental flexibility.

Mindfulness turns down the mental chatter in our minds. It gives us relief from the chaos that can surround us. It helps us get through emotional suffering.

When you’re able to be present, you can find peace and relief from suffering.

Ruminating & getting caught up in shit from your past, or worrying about stuff that might happen, just robs you of experiencing your present.

When you practice mindfulness, you’re actually practicing for life.  

In my virtual private practice, I incorporate mindfulness in every session. I truly believe in the power of mindfulness and practice it every. single. day. My hope is that more people can find peace, even for just a moment, from the chaos that’s either inside or outside of us. Finding peace of mind can be obtainable from learning core mindfulness skills. So…

Mindfulness & DBT in Philadelphia

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If you’d like individualized help with learning how to manage overwhelming anxiety, stress, and big emotions, including how to make mindfulness a part of your life, reach out for your free video consultation here.