Mindfulness is a word our Atlanta therapists throw out a lot, but what does it mean? Actually, many therapists use that word these days. It’s a buzz word in the therapeutic community.
Why is it so popular? Well, mindfulness is changing a lot of lives. Mindfulness is the idea of being aware of our thoughts, feelings, sensations, and environment. Being aware and mindful of these things gives you perspective. You are more conscious of what’s going on with you. That consciousness of what’s going on with you helps you realize what you can control.
Some of the things people do when they don’t practice mindfulness:
Stuff feelings
React to things inappropriately, harshly, aggressively, etc
Self-medicate (with TV, drugs, alcohol, staying busy, video games, pornography, etc.)
Hurt people we care about
Stay upset for long periods of time because we’re focusing on negative thoughts
Allow others to dictate our emotions or feelings
Perpetuate the drama, anxiety, depression, etc.
Stay rushed, busy, or multi-task and unable to focus on important things
Worry too much
Stay distracted when talking with people
Rush all the time
Our Atlanta counselors help teach people that mindfulness helps you practice being aware of what’s going on with you. This awareness helps you with directing your thoughts towards positive things, getting through negative feelings, and appreciating what’s important in life. Building these skills helps you move out of negative patterns which ultimately can lead to a more happy or peaceful existence.
Not only are you working on your thoughts when you practice mindfulness, you are also more in tune with your feelings and sensations. Please don’t misunderstand us, as therapists we want to help teach you that this doesn’t necessarily mean you don’t experience negative feelings. However, being in tune with negative feelings helps you identify them, feel them, and then move through them. That’s right, mindfulness isn’t about sitting in negative feelings long-term. The idea is that you experience them and accept that eventually you will move through them. You are strong, and you can tolerate and make it through difficult feelings even if you are exposed to the things that trigger the feeling.
Being mindful is all about awareness. Our Atlanta counselors help people to make the connection that sometimes we are so busy and move so quickly through life that we aren’t intentional about our thoughts and our feelings. Sometimes, we develop unhealthy thought patterns or unhealthy reactions to feelings.
