Practicing mindfulness would definitely be an advantage for
how I handle events that go on throughout my life. I have a tendency,
especially when the event is negative, to somehow tie it back to all my past
experiences of feeling anxious or depressed. As an undergraduate, I was a
client in an intensive outpatient program that attempted to incorporate
components of mindfulness. Although I did not find the program beneficial,
reading over the article highlighted practices that I would like to have in my
personal life. Staying in the present moment (Khong, 2007) rather than my
rumination of thoughts and attempting to connect everything to past experiences
would greatly alleviate the anxiety and depression that occurs when I have a
negative train of thoughts that does not seem to want to stop.
Looking over the tables provided for the case studies, I can see how when I am in a particular situation I am provoked by feelings leading way to an internal dialogue and habitual responses (Khong, 2007). I would gain great insight practicing mindfulness as it would allow for me to recognize a present event and pay close attention to what I need to tell myself in the moment to alleviate how I may be feeling.
As I read through the chapter, I came upon a reflection question asking about sleep, and what changes I could potentially make (Corey & Corey, 2008). Prior to beginning this semester, I was only averaging around four hours of sleep a day. I could definitely feel the effects of it throughout the day, but I was unable to just comfortably fall asleep at night. I would then only fall asleep at 3AM and wake up at 7AM. I knew that something was going on, and I needed to change my thoughts and behaviors in order to get an adequate amount of sleep.
I first began by not waiting until the late evening to eat dinner, and I also began to explore what food choices I was making. During winter break I was not eating foods that I usually ate, and I decided to revert back to foods I actually enjoyed eating rather than choosing foods based on convenience. I also reduced the amount of caffeine I was consuming, set up an exact time in the evening that I would stop using my computer and cell phone, and played nature sounds in the background of my bedroom. Just those simple changes to my lifestyle have enabled me to get a full night of sleep, and it feels amazing.
Looking over the tables provided for the case studies, I can see how when I am in a particular situation I am provoked by feelings leading way to an internal dialogue and habitual responses (Khong, 2007). I would gain great insight practicing mindfulness as it would allow for me to recognize a present event and pay close attention to what I need to tell myself in the moment to alleviate how I may be feeling.
As I read through the chapter, I came upon a reflection question asking about sleep, and what changes I could potentially make (Corey & Corey, 2008). Prior to beginning this semester, I was only averaging around four hours of sleep a day. I could definitely feel the effects of it throughout the day, but I was unable to just comfortably fall asleep at night. I would then only fall asleep at 3AM and wake up at 7AM. I knew that something was going on, and I needed to change my thoughts and behaviors in order to get an adequate amount of sleep.
I first began by not waiting until the late evening to eat dinner, and I also began to explore what food choices I was making. During winter break I was not eating foods that I usually ate, and I decided to revert back to foods I actually enjoyed eating rather than choosing foods based on convenience. I also reduced the amount of caffeine I was consuming, set up an exact time in the evening that I would stop using my computer and cell phone, and played nature sounds in the background of my bedroom. Just those simple changes to my lifestyle have enabled me to get a full night of sleep, and it feels amazing.
References
Corey, G. & Corey, M. S. (2010). Your Body and Wellness. In Brooks/Cole (9th edition), I Never Knew I Had a Choice (106-131). Belmont, CA: Brooks/Cole, Cengage Learning.
Luan Khong, B.S. (2007). The Buddha's influence in the therapy room. Hakomi Forum, 18, 11-18.
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