what is all this about mindfulness anyway?

Mindfulness seems to be the latest mental health buzzword and for good reason. In a nutshell, it is the purposeful appreciation of the moment we are in, forgetting about the past and not thinking about the future. Simple, right? Maybe not.

Mindfulness is like giving your brain a little spa session. I believe that with all the 21st century information being flung at us all the time, our brains are more wound up than ever. As a woman with ADHD it is turned up as my brain tries to take in so much information at once. During the Renew Counseling Center adolescent IOP group that I lead once per week, we watch a 20-minute(ish) episode of the Netflix series, The Mind Explained (Season 1, Episode 4) on mindfulness. The program shares studies of monks brains and the ways meditation has literally changed their brains. I have watched it tens of times and I am always blown away. Go watch it!

But meditation?!?! Ewww, David! In my work with adolescents in group and in individual therapy with teens and adults, I know first hand that meditation is not for every one. My ADHD brain simply cannot handle it or the repetitive practice required to learn to. A lot of teens HATE the idea of sitting there with their thoughts in front of others so they don’t try. Thankfully, there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to being mindful.

You can do practically anything mindfully. Many therapists recommend starting by mindfully eating a raisin. Start by feeling the texture and structure(?) with your fingers. Look at the colors and consider how it grew and dried to look the way it does. Smell it. Listen to it (haha). PEEL it, if you want. Then, put it in your mouth and notice how it feels on your tongue, lightly bite it and ask yourself, “What does is feel like? Is it mushy or solid?” You get the idea. :)

The point is, making a point to stop your day to be ONLY in the present moment is vital for our well being. Who knew something so simple could be so powerful?!