We have a natural impulse to ease pain, fill the sense of lack or feelings of emptiness. Addictive drives are one of the ways we attempt to find balance and healing-An unworkable pattern but the impulse is innate. Once we are made aware of the pattern, we can begin to shift our response and over time increase self-regulation making room for kindness, compassion, creativity and adventure.
Mindful Living
Mindful living is a therapeutic approach to building curiosity around uncomfortable experiences, emotions and thoughts then engaging in actions that are in harmony with our values.
Mindful living means noticing patterns that are no longer working for us then shifting without judgement to a more workable response by using efficient and effective strategies to keep us moving forward with clarity.
Who does Mindful Living help?
Anyone who struggles with painful emotions, thoughts, memories, or urges (of any kind). Mindful Living encourages the 'acceptance' that these are private mental experiences over which we have no control, and promotes taking committed action guided by our authentic values. The result is a more fulfilling and vitalized life, in which the struggle to relieve ourselves of inevitable painful experiences doesn’t dictate our every move.
People who commonly can benefit from Mindful Living include those experiencing anxiety, including social anxiety, obsessive compulsive symptoms, panic attacks or panic disorder, PTSD. Also those experiencing depression ranging from mild to severe are often able to use Mindful Living techniques to improve the quality of their life. Research has also shown success by those suffering from psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations and delusional thoughts, in applying the principles of Mindful Living to their experience.
Mindful Living is focused on the here and now and is designed to allow you to overcome negative thoughts, which are connected to feelings.
Mindful Living is goal focused strategy that is concerned with changing how you cope with various life challenges. In this way, the goal is to focus on your commitment to the change process and come up with strategies when you are unable to stick to your identified goals.
Mindful Living has practical uses in everyday life. Here are just a few of them:
*Reducing excessive worry *Changing relationships with phobias & fears. *Anxiety and Stress reduction *Increasing confidence and self-esteem. *Shifting learned helplessness *Working through past traumas *Goal setting – short term and long term *Working through feelings of sadness *Moving through loss and grief
Mindful Living is simple in its approach but requires that you actively commit yourself to the change process.