Mindfulness Based Cognitive Therapy

In our daily lives, many of us are cruising through on autopilot rather than being more present in the moment. Mindfulness helps us tune into our present feelings and thoughts and makes us less susceptible to falling into the mental ruts that lead to depressive or anxious thoughts. It’s a valuable skill that can also bring more clarity to your thinking, which enables you to focus and achieve your goals with less stress and more ease and inner contentment.

Examples of Mindfulness:

• When going for a walk, focus on your surroundings rather than getting lost in thought inside your head. Pay attention to the sensation of movement in your legs and feet as you walk. Observe your breathing and the feel of the air on your skin. Listen for the rustling of leaves or the chirping of birds and stop to smell the flowers. Other thoughts might try to intrude, but push them back and actively focus on your surroundings.
When washing the dishes, don’t run through your mental to-do list or think about your problems. Instead, focus on the scent of the soap, the size of the bubbles, and the temperature of the water. Tune into the smoothness of the plates and the sensation of the bubbles popping on your skin.

Whilst the above practices can easily sound simplistic or even futile in their nature, their purpose is to help you discover how to train your mind in the art of being present. This practice, over time, enables you to avoid the pitfalls of negative thinking which can lead to stress, depression and anxiety.