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

[smallwolf]

guess that it could be called a "gentle distraction" ...

if you take an exercise that gets you to focus on things you can see, hear and feel is a way to return to the present.

for example, right now, I can hear the airconditioner, the game my son is playing. I can see a vase with flowers in it, phone and chairs. I can feel the skin against my shorts, my feet on the cool(ish) floor, and my forearms on the side the table.

in the above, rather than thinking of things that had happened or might happen in the future I am just focusing on things in my present environment in this moment. And this exercise could be seen as gentle in that it takes little time, requires little preparation, could be viewed as informal, does not require special tools - it only requires yourself and what is in your space at that time?

[smallwolf]

A little story.... I was with my psychologist on Thu and I was talking about my negative thoughts and this then moved into mindfulness exercises. I explained that while I can do mindful based exercises they are not quite long enough for me. Secondly if I try to do it by myself it does not work as I get easily distracted. However if I listen to someone telling me what do (as as narrator) it is much easier for me.

The solution for me... next time I see my psychologist will record a couple of exercises for me.

Why did I write this? Well, I guess firstly I am not very good as doing it by or for myself. Perhaps also working out what does or does not work for me and finding a way forward. And yes, I am lucky.

[blondguy]

Hi Tim and thankyou for the clarity by sharing your own life experience/knowledge with mindfulness. What are your thoughts about mindfulness for a person that has high level anxiety attacks?

After reading your posts it seems like mindfulness is an effective tool for low level anxiety or high stress levels when a person is able to function effectively on a day to day level. I noticed that mindfulness wasnt recommended or suggested on our Covid-19 thread from the inset of Covid-19

I really appreciate your time and experience on this Tim and thanks again for helping the 70% of people that choose to read only and the 30% that choose to post

Hope your weekend is treating you well

Paul

[Guest_1643]

Hi all ,

I've been trying the "mindful hot drink"

where you focus very much on the drink as you drink it, the sensations. I try do this outside as well so I also feel the weather and the sun.

It's so hard for me with my racing mind.
I can only really do it for a short time - it feels painful and hard for me to be in the moment due to my PTSD syptoms, but for those few moments I get a sense of surprise that I am capable of it at all, and that a brief feelig of control over my body.

Try a mindful tea!

[smallwolf]

Thanks Paul. I am going to be careful with my response as I do want to say something "wrong" (for lack of a better word...

there are many forms of mindfulness a person can use - from breathing, to noticing objects, mantras, meditations, relaxation tools, formal and informal methods, skills and training of the professional etc. And also have to consider anecdotal evidence vs ... With all of that said, here are two articles (pages) that answer your question (?)

• https://www.headspace.com/blog/2017/06/04/riding-out-panic-attacks/

• https://learn.beyondblue-elearning.org.au/workplace/resources/pdf/topic5/GuideToWhatWorksForAnxiety.pdf (and go to page 99)

When I on leave from work and at my lowest I would spend my days at the college library. I would (stupidly) look at work email on occasion and only because everyone relied on me. Suffice to say it was not the smartest thing I ever did. I also had Virtual Hope Box on my phone - there were time when I would have to get up and leave my laptop and sit under a statue using the relaxation tools of that app. I can remember one time I was under that statue for over 2 hours until feelings passed and regain control.

I would regard it as a tool that can be used. A bit like a workman's tool belt. In my tool belt are apps (with mindful things in them), medication, a psychologist/psychiatrist, journals, etc.

Most important... Rome was not built in a day. It takes time and patience and using it each day even if we don't "need to use it". Try using a hammer for the very first time.

Tim

[quirkywords]

Hello ,

Tim thanks for your explanation. It is very interesting and informative. Time and patience two things that challenge me.

sleepy I have tried mindful hot drinks but has not helped.

[Nurse_Jenn]

I try to think about Mindfulness as not only a strategy, but a skill. Similar to skiing or riding a bike - the first period of engaging with the activity is around learning it... this can take different amounts of time for different people. Some people find their way on skis or a bike very quickly, while others, it takes persistence and practice to get the skill to a level of comfort, where you can focus on the benefits of the activity rather than the structure.

I have been falling off the mindfulness bike with skinned knees for a lot of years until I started taking my rides regularly and at a shorter distance. This has helped my to understand my own skill level and have been able to grow it this way. Historically, I would aim for a marathon mindfulness session the first few times...fail,,, and then not look at it again for some time.

Now my mindfulness timer is how long it takes for my kettle to boil (short, and regular) - for me this works. Though, I have also felt some of my best mindfulness with the whippersnipper on.:)

[Guest_1643]

HI TIm - I have a hope box I made in hospital but I don't use it much anymore - the virtual hope box sounds interesting
I've also heard of an idea sourced in AA and Addiction Groups called a G-d box - you write down your worries and put them in a box - and let them be "taken away" or "held" - people later look through the boxes to see that a lot of their worries didn't come true... I don't know much about this but ofund it interesting.

I do a somatic excercise which is about getting in your body and feeling your body, which I learnt from this truama expert Dr Peter Levine ( not in person lol - just through following his works).
Helps me a lot.

Quirky the tea is actually almost painful for me - I can understand feeling it doesn't help. It's very hit and miss

[quirkywords]

Sleepy, I like idea for hope box.

nurse jenn thanks for your suggestions.

[Ggrand]

Hello everyone..

Tim I have the virtual hope box app..and I find it helpful when I’m sitting in a waiting room...to get my mind of the people waiting as well....

I like the idea of writing our worries and placing them in a box...it could be very helpful for us when we review them...

I try to practice being mindful when I’m in my house..but for some reason I can’t do it..yet when I’m outside I can quieted my mind more easily, maybe because outside is always different and there’s more to take in...

Grandy..