Mindfulness Explained…
A Letter From A Therapist: Issue 3
To say many of us have been under a bit of additional stress in the recent months would be a colossal understatement. Sometimes when we find ourselves stuck in a perpetual state of distress we have a very hard time mediating our emotions and in turn our interpersonal interactions and connections suffer. So how can we cope? How can we be better at taking in an inordinate amount of expectations for ourselves and still sustain a sense of calm? One thing that can be of assistance to help us focus on only the step in front of us is the practice of mindfulness.
What is mindfulness? We hear this word frequently in our current society and therefore many related topics might come to mind. You might hear mindfulness and stereotypically think of a yogi instructing a group of people to breathe deeply and recite “olm” as they meditate. Or the thought of a beautiful scenery might come to mind as you daydream about the ocean or a serene mountain landscape. Essentially these thoughts aren’t wrong, but I think they overcomplicate the concept. Mindfulness is one of the most simple, basic, and natural states one could attempt to achieve. The literal definition involves being aware or in a state of consciousness - in other words, being present. The most effective way to achieve a healthy balance with stress and chaos is to empower mindfulness and an element of present awareness.
Sounds easy, right? In theory it makes sense, but it’s surprising how many of us find this to be a very difficult and unnatural state. Rather we find ourselves consistently immersed in stress and dysfunction and need to consciously work at developing a sense of calm and awareness. Therefore it can take practice to narrow our attention to a point. We need to tunnel our conscious vision to one thing in our present environment in order to slow down and begin this process. One way to conceptualize the implementation of mindfulness is to define what is influencing our five senses at any given moment. What in your present space can you touch, see, hear, smell, and taste? Look to other aspects in your environment - how intense the lighting is, what the temperature is, how our body feels, etc. We often exist in our spaces with little thought and are preoccupied with our future intentions. Pulling our focus back to the present can have a significant healing effect and can enhance our ability to ground.
So go forth with an element of simplicity - hone into the basics of your senses. There is a need to create this element of vulnerability in our presence and to remind yourself that it’s okay to not always be preoccupied with future planning. I assure you that with practice and consistency, the skills of mindfulness and awareness can transform anxious distress into healing though grounding. So remember, focus on the step in front of you, not the whole staircase.
Best Regards,
Amanda J. Nowak, LPC, LMHC
July 8, 2021
