Mindfulness is a term that gets thrown around a lot in the moment and is often hailed as some kind of ‘solve all’ for every kind of problem under the sun. Mindfulness is part self-help technique and part clinical tool; lately, it has grown to spawn countless e-books, courses, and evening classes. But what precisely is it and how do you define it?
Mindfulness: An Explanation
Boiled down to its essence, mindfulness is the observation of one’s own thoughts and emotions. In other words, it means stepping back and then simply being aware of what you’re feeling, what you’re thinking and what you are experiencing. This can then be used to help treat a wide range of different psychological problems. As well as generally improve your psychological health.
The reason for this is that it brings more attention to the way that we handle various events and how our thoughts and emotions normally control us. This in turn allows us to anticipate them, to deal with them, and ultimately to prevent them.
For instance, someone who deals with social anxiety will likely have a number of ruminations that contribute to their symptoms. These might include worries that they will ‘make a fool of themselves, that they will be laughed at, that they will stammer…
Many of these thoughts are inaccurate but only by being aware of them, it is possible to manipulate them, rise above them, or suppress them entirely.
Uses of Mindfulness
When used to combat such conditions as social anxiety, mindfulness can be seen as a clinical tool. Specifically, it is an important part of ‘CBT’ or ‘Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. This is a psychotherapeutic approach that involves the practice of essentially replacing and reprogramming underlying thoughts, beliefs, and ruminations.
At the same time, mindfulness has also long been a part of other meditative practices. Here, the goal can often be somewhat different. The objective here is to be more aware of the present moment in terms of sensations, sounds, and emotions. By practicing this, they can eventually become more ‘present’ in the moment; thus, better able to react to what’s going on around them without judgment and the constant ‘brain chatter that so many of us experience.
Mindfulness is a broad tool that can be used in a number of different ways. In almost every scenario though, the true end goal is to be aware of the present moment and to find an inner calm that often eludes us.
Somatic coach (therapist) in Canton, GA, and Worldwide Life Coach dedicated to inspiring and assisting people worldwide through candid conversations about anxiety. Having personally battled general anxiety, panic disorder, and OCD, I understand the daily challenges those grappling with anxiety face. My journey involved searching for the right therapist, medication, and natural supplements and undergoing various tests. It was only after deciding to reclaim my life that I finally overcame anxiety’s hold. I’m passionate about helping others conquer their struggles and discover their life purpose.