MindfuLives.com

I want to talk about mindfulness, what it is, how we can use it, and why it is beneficial for our everyday life. Whenever I talk about mindfulness, I always end up putting my own Melanie flare on the topic. I have found mindfulness to be a nice compliment to mental health. I use it every day in my therapy practice. No matter how much training I have as a mindfulness and meditation teacher, I will always be a counselor at heart. 

What is mindfulness?

So what does this buzz word, mindfulness, even mean? Mindfulness literally means focusing your attention on the present moment without judgment. Explained differently, it means moment-to-moment awareness of what is occurring in your mind and body. The “Melanie mental health addition” of mindfulness means being aware of your thoughts, emotions, and how you interact in your environment without judging yourself.  

Why is it important for you to know this?

Mindfulness helps prevent you from dwelling on the past or worrying about the future by becoming aware of what you are thinking and feeling. By knowing what you are thinking and what you are feeling, you know how your thoughts and emotions affect the way you show up for your life.  

By being more mindful, you can learn how to feel better and not let emotions like stress or anxiety run your life. You can know how to get out of autopilot mode and bring more joy into your life. You can finally start to feel a sense of calm in this chaotic world we live in.

Where do you start?

If you have ever worked with me before or attended one of my groups, this next part may sound familiar (take this as a reminder to go back to the basics). I have shared this before, and I will share it again because this is the starting point to learning mindfulness. If you can understand this, practice it, and use it in your everyday life, you will be setting the foundation for mindfulness practice. 

Emotions, whether positive, negative, or neutral, will manifest in your body as physical sensations. Emotions have the potential to be very overwhelming. Physical sensations allow you to learn how to identify feelings. Think of physical sensations as emotional warning signs.   

How?

Check out the list below. This is a list of emotions and corresponding physical sensations. Get to know yourself and how you experience your feelings. The first step to feeling better is being able to identify what and how you are feeling.