Mindfulness... It's Not Just Meditation in the Lotus Position...

Often times, I ask my clients the following question: "Are you familiar with the concept of mindfulness?" Most of the time, the person will shoot me a bewildered look and shake their head vigorously in the negative. Other times, people will say, "Oh... It's something meant to distract you from the moment. Like yoga or stuff like that." Regardless of the answer provided, I take the time to explain that mindfulness is a technique that assist you in syncing up your mind, body, and actions with your current reality. Mindfulness is meant to be used to face the moment that is in front of you. Yes, even if the current moment is unpleasant. We must partake in experiencing the unpleasantness in a way that will allow you to process, experiment, and learn. Mindfulness is not a get out of "uncomfortableness free card".

As humans, we spend the majority of our life living in the past or agonizing over the future. It's in our nature to process everything, but now. Typically because the now is too much to process. Mindfulness clears out the white noise and allows you the opportunity to process only in the here and now. I encourage you to try out the following exercise. This exercise pulls you in to the moment and the focus is on your eating. This exercise is particularly useful if you have an issue regarding binge eating.

Choose a food you would like to practice with (preferably something you can hold in your hand without getting messy). Something as simple as a single raisin will work well. Move slowly through these steps, taking a moment to focus on each one. Before you pick up your food, notice how it looks on the table in front of you. Notice its color, how the light reflects from its surface, and its size. Now, pick up the food. Notice the weight, and how the food feels against your skin. Roll the object between your fingers, or roll it in your hand, and notice its texture. Notice if it’s smooth, rough, slick, soft, firm or if it has any other properties. Hold the food to your nose, and pay attention to its smell. Next, place the food in your mouth, on your tongue, but don’t eat it. Notice how it feels in your mouth. Does the texture feel the same as on your hand? What do you taste? Roll the food around in your mouth and pay attention to the feeling. Finally, begin to slowly chew your food. Notice how your teeth sink into it, and how the texture is different inside. Pay close attention to the flavor, and how it spreads across your tongue. Notice how your body changes--does your mouth fill with saliva? Does your tongue feel hot or cold? Mindfulness Exercises Provided by TherapistAid.com © 2015