Mindfulness: What Is It? (Even if you dont know please post so we can help grow the forums accordingly)

[blondguy]

Hi Everybody

This is only the basic dictionary definition...

"Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment without judgement"

• Please be as blunt you wish....If you dont have an idea about mindfulness it would be great if you could let us know
• If mindfulness hasnt worked/or is too broad a concept for you it would great if you can let us know your thoughts too
• If mindfulness has helped you, please help others to help themselves by posting how you have embraced this mindset

It goes without saying that the forums are a judgement free zone and I really hope that everyone can jump in and have their say

Your input is highly valued no matter how you respond to this topic. There are no experts here...New Posters are Most Welcome!!

My Kindest Thoughts

Paul

[QldMouse]

Hi Paul,

I'm very interested in your comment that you were taught how to 'ground' yourself with anxiety attacks, how?

This is still a problem I'm working on and how I wound up in Mindfullness training. My councillor keeps trying things, we have been playing with art therapy lately. All the techniques are making a difference, but I can't afford to keep going as much as i'd like so spend too much time on the internet reading.

She does keep saying "meditation ... meditation ... meditation ... meditation ... " which is a challenge for me. I've literally been kicked out of a meditation class years ago. Sadly not kidding.

Clutching at any straws mate!!

Thanks

[blondguy]

Hey Mouse

Thanks for being here!

I have had a few chronic anxiety attacks inside my house and while walking my K9 years ago (before mindfulness was a word) and my therapist taught me how to ground myself...which is similar to mindfulness...

• If at home and the awful wave of panic is overwhelming us.......the power of distraction is a great tool. In my mega anxiety phase I used to turn on the TV (Foxtel at the time) and find the most boring movie that is on and watch what you can....lying on your side....Anxiety attacks cannot exist at the same time as watching a dead boring old western. Our brain can only process so much information at the same time. Using visual distraction can help take our 'focus' away from a panic attack no matter how severe it is
• If away from home the same technique works too. I was walking my dog years ago and froze in panic. I grabbed a tiny small dead branch off a tree and started to break it into bits slowly....The anxiety loses its strength when our thoughts are focused elsewhere. The power of distraction does work.
• Elastic Band on the wrist...One of the postie's red thick one's.....When the anxiety hits...and you pull on the elastic band and let go....the whack of the rubber band on your skin will 'ground you' (ouch)
• Mobile Phone.....another great technique to ground ourselves.....call a friend....tune in to your favorite talk back radio station.....send an sms to someone.......all useful tools to help us ground ourselves
• If anxiety strikes hard when driving, pull over at a servo or 7/11 and buy a drink/newspaper and enjoy the moment and proceed in your journey when the anxiety has reduced (when you are grounded)

Thanks QldMouse for the great question 🙂

My kind thoughts

Paul

[CMF]

Love those tips Paul. Thx for sharing.

my psych has asked me to use smiling mind every day told her I have tried it but not very good at it. She told me that I will absolutely suck at it for a while but to just persist as it will get easier. It made me feel better to know that it will take time to master it, that it wasn't because my anxiety was 'uncontrollable'.

[blondguy]

Smiling Mind App

Thnx CMF.....I might have a sticky at that...appreciate it 🙂

As you mentioned even with mild to medium anxiety it does take time, determination and practice.....I dont have the severe anxiety anymore but any help is gold...Nice1

[Croix]

Dear CMF and Paul~

You're right, Smiling Mind takes a very long time, but I've found even just the attempt helps, if I don't get all the way it still distracts me and reduces my anxiety, maybe not as well as someone more accomplished, but well worth doing.

One day earlier this year I was waiting for news about someone surviving and practically wore my phone out trying it. Fumbled and kept losing concentration but it helped a awful lot even so. 4 Hours I waited, don't know how I'd have been without it.

Croix

[blondguy]

Thankyou Croix for the positive feedback on Smiling Mind

I must be very old school as I was taught acceptance/distraction/mindfulness through

Dr Claire Weekes "Self Help for your Nerves" It was written decades ago and still in print....

Thankyou again Croix. My Best. Paul

[MarkJT]

Hey gang, been away for a bit as have a bit going on but i'm good - just need to concentrate on other things at the moment.

Paul - one hell of a cracking post in relation to QLDMouse's request - on point massive. Awesome.

Mouse - with the art therapy, if you Google "Mindfulness coloring", it will show various images that you can print off. If you can get access to a printer and get some, they are really effective as it takes some fair amount of concentration to do them. They are pretty tricky - you will see what i mean when you google them.

Mark.

[Babyboomer]

Hey there QldMouse. Go for it! It's a good word for anxiety. Kind of describes what goes on inside.

[Babyboomer]

Sort of being in the here and now - not paying attention to the past or being anxious about the future. In one of his songs, John Lennon says "Life's what happens while you're busy making other plans". Maybe in our busyness, we don't take time to give our minds a break before we run the risk of breaking them. Headspace (the young people's MH website) has some mindfulness meditation exercises which I've found helpful. Worth checking out!

[blondguy]

Thankyou MarkJT for your clarity and coaching on 'Mindfulness'..always a bonus to have your experience here 🙂

Hey Babyboomer....I havent checked out Headspace as yet but will have a sticky beak as always learning here and the more info the better...Thanks heaps!

Babyboomer mentioned " Headspace (the young people's MH website) has some mindfulness
meditation exercises which I've found helpful. Worth checking out"

Have a great night everybody

Paul