Mindfulness is a form of meditation – with focus on the present moment, acknowledging and accepting feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations without being reactive by what’s going on around us.
This mind-body based training helps people to change the way they think and feel about their experiences. A set of simple techniques can be incorporated into daily life to help break the cycle stress, anxiety, mental exhaustion and promote genuine contentment.
Not only can it help for people with mental health difficulties but for those who are struggling to keep up with the constant demands of the modern world.
Practising mindfulness for just a few minutes a day can benefit your health and wellbeing. We explore 4 benefits of mindfulness to help effectively manage mental health difficulties.
Reduces feelings of anxiety
Anxiety can be mentally and physically exhausting. Many struggles with anxiety and worry can be triggered by overthinking – causing feelings of panic.
Research suggests you can reduce your anxiety with a simple mindfulness practise – which helps people to be aware of their thoughts and calm the rushed feelings of panic.
By not being reactive or overwhelmed can be beneficial, especially for those who struggle with chronic worry and anxiety.
You may not be able to change your situation through mindfulness but various techniques can help you effectively manage struggles with anxiety.
Learn how to effectively manage stress
Stress is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand or threat. The body’s defence mode is a rapid, automatic process known as the “fight-or-flight” reaction or the stress response.
Mindful practice gives you the space to react differently under pressure, resulting in less intense responses to stress.
Taking a moment to pause and focus on something simple like the breath allows you to calm down and observe the feelings of stress without feeling overwhelmed.
This can have many positive effects on the body and mind, such as strengthening your immune system and increased clarity in thinking and perception.
Positive thinking
Positive thinking gives the ability to adapt and effectively manage life difficulties.
Negative thoughts can take a toll on our mental wellbeing but mindfulness gives us the tools to become aware of thought processes and help to develop new ways of coping.
Mindful awareness enables you to respond appropriately rather than react, and it teaches them to focus and consistency necessary to keep moving forward during life’s inevitable challenges.
Mindfulness can promote positive thinking which helps to live in a balanced way when life gets tough.
Increase in concentration
In today’s increasingly busy world, it can be hard to stay focused, whether it’s work, relationships, or our studies.
If you find yourself easily distracted and have a difficult time staying focused then meditation can help.
Concentration is a skill which can be learned from meditation practice, which repeatedly brings your attention back to a chosen point of focus – such as the breath.
Over time, it is possible to maintain focus, concentrate for longer and resist procrastination, rather than our attention being diverted to what’s going on around us.
Try this beginner’s practice
A 5-minute breathing meditation. This practice can help to reduce stress, anxiety, and negative emotions, calm yourself down when you feel angry, and improve your concentration skills.
Our counsellors use a range of techniques such as CBT and mindfulness to help manage new ways of living. Contact us to find out more.