Mindfulness in Managing Stress and Anxiety
(and a host of others, especially chronic pain)
Using MBSR (Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction)

Do you find yourself in an emotional state that causes you to feel uneasy, apprehensive, or fearful? People usually experience anxiety about events they cannot control or predict, or about events that seem threatening or dangerous, many about the future. Anxiety is a fear-based state that affects mind, body, and spirit. If you suffer from anxiety, you know the terrible suffering when anxiety rears its ugly head. The great news is that you can choose to conquer anxiety with your mind, body, and spirit. One of the best ways I have found is called Mindfulness. Psychology Today published an intriguing article that breaks the concept down into plain English. The best news is that mindfulness can help anything that may be ailing you. It helps to keep you calmer. It helps you sleep. It helps you eat the good foods meant for your body. It helps you to be joyful and calm, at peace. It helps you to be wiser and less impulsive. Better decisions are made. It is a miraculous practice that has saved lives. For detailed instructions on how to begin take a look at National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine.


Book Review

In my attempt to summarize the concept of "mindfulness" for you, I will do my best to help you understand. The essence of mindfulness is doing nothing, and operating in the "now", or the present moment. With the current pace of our world now, it can be quite challenging for us to possibly keep pace with all the demands and pressures of living. Practicing mindfulness, which includes meditation, in my opinion, makes it all fall into place. I am not a trained expert in mindfulness or Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), developed by Jon Kabat-Zinn. However, it is the goal of Find the Light to help others by giving MBSR a strong endorsement. Having read the book "The Full Catastrophe Living" by Dr. Kabat-Zinn several times and taking a course in MBSR (which includes yoga and meditation daily),  I can personally state that it has revolutionized my life. True and long-lasting recovery can occur by practicing mindfulness daily. Reducing stress, pain, depression, anxiety, by way of Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction does take much discipline and practice but it is well worth it!


Getting Started With Mindfulness at Home

For the beginner, without the materials listed above, it starts with paying attention to the "now". Right now I am writing to you. I am paying attention just to that, and nothing else. I have music on the background but it is music that I love and it "moves" me. My aim is to help. To "pay it forward". Mindfulness helped me more than all the medications, therapy, exercise, peer support, surgical procedures, numerous and painful procedures combined. However, it was also like the icing on the cake. It brought everything together. As mentioned, practicing mindfulness clears the mind from all the chatter. There is calm and peace, confidence. It can helped you gain self-control and lesson symptoms of anxiety, insomnia, depression, heart disease, chronic pain, among others.

It is a slow process and starting slowly with small, "baby steps" is crucial. Even as simple as when you are brushing your teeth, just pay attention and think about nothing but brushing your teeth. Look at the brush. Watch the water get the brush wet. Watch putting the tooth paste on the brush, (or however you do it). Feel the sensation on each tooth, gum area, and your tongue. Think of nothing else. Try it for a week and see if you notice any difference. When thoughts come into your mind, acknowledge them, then get right back to the tooth brushing.

If you can find five minutes a day to sit and do nothing, or even better, sit and view nature, listen to soft jazz, or find a pretty picture to focus on. If you can sit and do nothing for five minutes, do that. Just sit and do nothing. You can close your eyes. Let the thoughts come but the idea is to eventually sit for five minutes with a very clear head, with nothing coming to mind but nice, "flow". It is hard to put into words if you haven't' experienced a relaxed, calm mind. If you have the luxury of sitting in nature where you can see or hear waves, watch or hear birds in their natural habitat, or beautiful trees or clouds to stare at, do that, just for five minutes. Trust me! It's worth your life, your health, your spiritual health, and your mental health! Plus, you will be enjoying the moment, and that is what Mindfulness is all about. The more you practice, the more you will crave it and gravitate towards it. Your life will begin to be calmer and more in control. It did for me and continues to do so.

If you are interested in learning about the Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction program, you can do it on your own with the purchase of the book, "The Full Catastrophe Living", and a four cd audio set for mediation and yoga.  You will have the added benefit of getting stronger and more flexible!  If you want to take a course, you can find one through the Univ of Mass. Good luck to you. I strongly encourage investing your time and energy for relief. It is natural and how Our Creator intended.

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Last update: December 8, 2011