…otions of kindness and care that help us cope.” Similarly, the practice of mindfulness can help to reduce our tendency to ruminate on problems or negative ways of thinking that are not conducive to growth or change. Mindfulness can help us avoid getting carried away by self-limiting or destructive thought processes such as the “critical inner voice.” Our insecure thoughts can undermine our motivation and initiative. Self-compassion, on the other h…
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…motes a more empowering perspective. Mindfulness and Relaxation Techniques Mindfulness refers to taking our attention to the present moment without judgment. Mindfulness practices and relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing and meditation, can help teens stay present and gain control over their thoughts. When teens learn to observe their thoughts without judgment, they can reduce anxiety and increase emotional regulation. Relaxation techni…
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…lts from a 2016 study that compared three popular MBI’s (yoga, tai chi and mindfulness) led researchers to conclude “mind-body interventions can improve a person’s level of mental health when compared to those who do not practice these techniques.” Specifically, they noted that “tai chi and yoga were significantly effective in reducing anxiety, while mindfulness was significantly effective in reducing stress. Yet, when taking the effect size into…
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…responds to the world around us.” We can cultivate this capacity by using mindfulness skills. Mindfulness allows us to see our thoughts and feelings like ships passing on the horizon. We can watch each silhouette sail by, but we don’t need to hop aboard and get carried away. So many of our thoughts and feelings overpower us and take the wheel when it comes to our behavior. By using techniques like meditation and simple breathing exercises, we can…
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…on anyone. Embracing the three elements of self-compassion (self-kindness, mindfulness, and common humanity) are three ways to face what happened to you without punishing yourself or inflicting further suffering. 3. Feel the feelings – Emotions are likely to come up throughout this process. They may come consistently or arrive when you least expect. Try to accept your feelings and allow yourself to feel them. They may feel intense, but it’s helpfu…
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…Uncovering Happiness and MBSR Every Day: Daily Practices from the Heart of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction. If you’ve followed my writings you know I’m a big fan of short phrases to help us grow from the inevitable obstacles of life. In this post, I’d like to introduce you to one of these phrases: Forgive, Investigate, and Invite Did you recently fall short in a parenting moment, a business meeting, an intimate relationship, or in trying to cre…
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…confident, practice confidence. – If you want to be more mindful, practice mindfulness. – If you want to be more loving, practice loving yourself and others. – If you want to be more forgiving and to let go of stress-laden emotional burdens, practice forgiveness. – If you want a life filled with more compassion and generosity, 2 essential elements for lasting happiness, practice compassion and generosity. While simple on paper, in practice it’s a…
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In this Webinar: Imagine waking up to the realization that the fields that focus on the mind—from mental health and education to psychiatry and psychology—do not actually define what the mind actually is. Without knowing what mind is, how can we then say what a healthy mind might be and how we could go about developing one for ourselves and for others? In this Webinar, neuropsychiatrist and author, Dan Siegel, M.D., will explore these finding…
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…hey get critical or mean. Remember, ‘no’ is a complete sentence.” Practice Mindfulness Because empaths tend to get caught up in what is going on around them, it is particularly important for them to set aside time to tune in. Practicing mindfulness can help you reconnect to yourself. Focusing on your breath, for insistence, quiets the mind and centers you in your body. It can be helpful in meditation to practice “non-identification” with others, t…
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…n. Learn about the nature of trauma, self-care and healing techniques like mindfulness. For example, one helpful model is Stan Taktin’s “couple bubble.” This is a visual aid to help partners see how to become a more secure, well-functioning couple. Surrounding yourself and your partner with an imaginary bubble “means that the couple is aware in public and in private they protect each other at all times. They don’t allow either of them to be the th…
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