Activating the Present Moment: Mindfulness in Behavioral Health

October 26, 2018
Written by: Stephanie Catalano, LCSW

Tired of living in the sadness of yesterday and the worries of tomorrow? Stop and really think about that. How many times today have you found yourself upset about something that happened days ago or worried about what might happen tomorrow?
Life gets busy and more often than not, people are going at a fast pace, making it difficult to stay in the present.

As human, we like to be in control and it’s always really interesting how people try to control everything that is external of them. This typically leads to anxiety, something that most experience or have experienced. While sure, humans are conditioned to respond a certain way to certain stimuli, but this also means, humans can be re-wired or re-programmed if willing to put forth the effort and work it requires.

Mindfulness, is one practice that can alleviate anxiety and other unpleasant feelings as it is a psychological process of bringing one’s attention to experiences occurring in the present moment. This practice helps you become more aware of your thoughts, emotions, environment, feelings, and sensations in any given moment. To be mindful is to acknowledge your thoughts and feelings without judging them as good or bad.

If Mindfulness is introduced early in Behavioral Health as an intervention it can lead to great results for the person seeking treatment and healing as it is a way to reconnect with one’s own mind, body, and spirit. Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy (MBCT) are two effective ways to improve mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, reduce stress, balance emotions, learn cognitive skills to counter negative thoughts, and increase self-esteem.

Contact Agape Wellness Centers today!