Are you looking for ways to increase your self-awareness and focus, while reducing stress and anxiety? If so, mindfulness might be the answer you’re looking for.
“Slow breathing is like an anchor in the midst of an emotional storm: The anchor won’t make the storm go away, but it will hold you steady until it passes.”
Russ Harris
What is Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR)?
Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) is an 8-week program with the objective of helping individuals lessen their stress and enhance their overall well-being by adopting mindfulness practices.
MBSR is also based on the idea that by paying attention to the present moment in a non-judgmental way, individuals can learn to become more aware of their thoughts, feelings, and sensations and respond to them in a more balanced and effective way.
MBSR has been found to be effective in the treatment of a wide range of concerns, including:
- Anxiety and Stress
- Depression
- Chronic pain
- Infertility
- Insomnia
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Cancer
- Multiple sclerosis
MBSR typically involves participating in group sessions, as well as practicing mindfulness exercises on a daily basis.
The goal of MBSR is to help individuals develop a greater sense of balance and well-being, and to better cope with the challenges of daily life.
Benefits of MBSR
MBSR is an evidence-based, highly effective form of therapy designed to help you confront and manage difficult emotions and situations.
Through the practice of mindfulness techniques and cognitive behavioural techniques, individuals learn to identify, accept, and address their thoughts and feelings.
Some of the MBSR benefits include:
- Improved resilience and coping skills
- Reduced stress and anxiety
- Improved mood and overall well-being
- Improved ability to manage and regulate emotions
- Enhanced concentration and focus
- Improved sleep
- Increased self-compassion
- Decrease levels of rumination and reactivity
By learning mindfulness techniques and practicing them regularly, individuals may find that they are better able to navigate difficult situations and feel more in control of their lives.
Practicing mindfulness allows for a deeper understanding of the realities of life, allowing one to observe suffering, desires, and attachments without fear, anxiety, anger, or despair. It involves being present and aware of experiences in a compassionate and open-minded manner.
Studies have shown that incorporating mindfulness into daily life can help control emotional responses and allow for a more clear perception of reality without preconceptions or judgments.
What is there to know about MBSR before treatment?
- It typically involves attending weekly sessions for 8 weeks and engaging daily in at-home practice.
- It is also essential to be aware of the goals of MBSR, as well as possible risks, such as intensifying uncomfortable emotions.
- it is important to assess your level of commitment and willingness to practice mindfulness regularly and to understand that, while MBSR is shown to be an effective treatment for reducing stress, it is not a “quick-fix” solution.
- You may be given homework assignments to practice mindfulness and self-compassion outside of sessions.
MBSR Treatment at Get Reconnected Psychotherapy Services
At Get Reconnected Psychotherapy Services, we will guide you in mindfulness meditation practices. The ultimate goal is to help you develop greater awareness of your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations in order to reduce stress and improve your overall well-being.
For more information about our approaches, please contact us at [email protected]
If you are ready, book your first session.
To learn more, watch this short animated video on how mindfulness empowers us.