How mindfulness benefits mental health
Mindfulness has become a catchall phrase in so many realms lately. Jon Kabbat Zinn, popularized the definition that mindfulness is “paying attention on purpose”.
So many people try to be still and meditate and get frustrated because they can’t stop thinking! Stopping thoughts is not the goal though, just noticing thoughts without expanding on them is the goal but harder to do in practice.
In trauma therapy, mindfulness should be offered with choices and opportunities to talk through challenges. Trauma can cause disengagement from internal experience to stay safe enough. Mindfulness should be introduced carefully and with plenty of options. When practiced carefully, mindfulness can aid in trauma therapy and to promote awareness of self-care needs.
Mindfulness can include being still or being active. For example, while sitting still, observing breath/practicing deep breathing, or observing senses.
While walking, mindfulness can include using senses, focusing on each foot step or breath, or other mindful practices can include practicing yoga, Tai Chi or Chi Gong, or even mindful weight lifting and running.
Here are a couple of resources that could also be helpful to begin a trauma informed mindfulness practice:
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