Mindfulness, part 2: Is mindfulness for me?
his is the second part of a three-part series. Read part 1.
You may have a specific picture of someone who practices mindfulness, but the truth is that it is for everyone to use. Mindfulness has been used with different types of people and for different reasons:
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Decreasing pain
- Quitting smoking
- Eating healthy
Mindfulness myths
You may be thinking you don’t have the time to add yet another activity to your busy schedule, but in truth it doesn’t require much time. Here are a few myths about mindfulness that may help you rethink this practice:
Myth #1: Mindfulness takes a lot of time to do. Although it does take practice to improve your skills, it does not take a big chunk of time. Try 10 minutes, which is the recommended minimum time for a daily practice. Think about what we spend 10 minutes of our day on and whether it adds meaning to our lives.
Myth #2: Mindfulness means you must meditate. Meditation is one way of practicing mindfulness, which is considered a formal practice. However, you can informally practice mindfulness through daily activities such as washing dishes, folding clothes or even when having a conversation.
Myth #3: Mindfulness is about turning off your mind. Many people who start this practice feel they are doing something wrong when they continue to experience anxious or unpleasant thoughts. But it’s not about feeling nothing — it’s about staying present in all experiences, even the ones that are uncomfortable, and learning to not be so quick to react and try to get rid of these experiences.
Myth #4: Mindfulness is a religious practice. You do not have to be religious or spiritual to practice or find benefit from mindfulness. Mindfulness is simply a shift in how we think about an experience.
One thing is for sure: Mindfulness can help many people who may be dealing with different issues. However, it should not replace treatment that may be needed for serious mental or physical conditions. Please seek advice from a mental health specialist or your primary care provider to make sure you don’t have a serious condition that requires medication or other treatment.
The third and final part of this series will cover the benefits and provide resources to get your mindfulness journey started.
Our three-part series about mindfulness continues next week with Mindfulness, part 3: Why mindfulness?
The MultiCare Center for Weight Loss & Wellness supports you before, during and after the weight loss journey.
