In today's busy world, stress and anxiety are common problems that affect people of all ages. The constant pressures of work, relationships, and daily challenges can certainly take a toll on our mental wellbeing. Fortunately, there is a powerful tool that we can use to navigate these difficulties and find a sense of calm... Mindfulness.
Mindfulness means being fully present and aware of the present moment. It offers many benefits for reducing stress and anxiety. So let’s explore, how does mindfulness work?
1. Being aware of what's happening: One of the main benefits of mindfulness is that it helps us become more aware of what's going on around us. By practicing mindfulness, we train ourselves to pay attention to the present moment without judging it. This awareness allows us to recognise and acknowledge the things that make us stressed or anxious. When we become aware of our emotions, thoughts, and how our bodies feel, we gain the power to respond to them in a better way.
2. Taking control of our reactions: Stress and anxiety often make us react quickly and impulsively to difficult situations. Mindfulness teaches us to pause and observe our thoughts and feelings without instantly reacting to them. By practicing mindfulness regularly, we create a space between what triggers our stress or anxiety and how we respond. This helps us choose how we want to react instead of being controlled by negative patterns of thinking. When we have this ability to respond rather than react, we can reduce stress and anxiety and find a sense of calm and clarity.
3. Building emotional strength: Mindfulness empowers us to have a healthier relationship with our emotions. Instead of pushing away or ignoring unpleasant emotions, mindfulness helps us accept them with kindness and without judgment. It allows us to see our emotions as passing experiences and acknowledge them without getting overwhelmed by them. By developing this emotional strength, we can prevent stress and anxiety from taking over and find more inner peace.
4. Boosting our thinking power: Mindfulness has positive effects on our thinking abilities. Regular practice can improve our focus and concentration, helping us be more present and attentive in our daily lives. By training our minds to stay focused on the present moment, we can reduce worry about the future or regrets about the past, which often contribute to stress and anxiety. Better thinking abilities help us approach challenges with a clear mind and make better decisions, ultimately reducing stress levels.
5. Relaxing our bodies: Stress and anxiety often show up as physical symptoms like tense muscles, headaches, and trouble sleeping. Mindfulness can help relieve these physical signs by promoting deep relaxation. Through techniques like deep breathing exercises, body scans, and muscle relaxation, mindfulness triggers a relaxation response in our bodies. This response lowers heart rate, blood pressure, and stress hormone levels. The physical relaxation brought on by mindfulness not only eases stress and anxiety symptoms but also contributes to overall wellbeing.
To recap, how does mindfulness work?
By being aware of what's happening, controlling our reactions, building emotional strength, boosting our thinking power, and relaxing our bodies, mindfulness equips us with the tools to navigate life's challenges more calmly.
At Mind The Way Psychotherapy and Counselling, we can incorporate mindfulness practices into your therapy sessions, as well as providing you with helpful tools to take home. When mindfulness is incorporated into our daily lives, it can have a transformative impact on our mental health and help us to find more calm, peace and balance. We hope this blog post has helped you to understand - how does mindfulness work?
If you are looking for more information, particularly for managing stress during difficult times, here is an illustrated guide from the World Health Organisation that provides 'exercises' to help manage stress. There are also links to download an audio version of the exercises if needed. If you need support immediately please reach out to any of the following:
Lifeline: 13 11 14
Beyond Blue: 1300 224 636
For youth and young persons support
eheadspace: 1800 650 890
Kids helpline: 1800 551 800
Comentarios