I teach mindfulness techniques that research has proven will decrease stress, decrease blood pressure, increase concentration, and reduce the effects of allostatic loads. I have read numerous articles and studies about the physiological changes people have when they practice mindfulness. I admit my mindfulness, awareness, and relaxation practices have grown more robust over the past five years, and I feel more confident about my practice. It is almost automatic. Yet, I began to question: Is my practice as fresh and new as when I first started? Do I see my participation in mindfulness with the mindful quality of “not knowing”? I process the “not-knowing” mindfulness quality as being open to lifelong learning while maintaining a bit of child-like curiosity. I want my practice to continue to grow.
I am interested in this self-evaluation because I teach mindfulness, awareness, and relaxation to a diverse audience of various ages. I want to be a better guide in growing calmness as a response to stress, introducing ways to decrease burn-out and naturalize utilization of growth mindset concepts. I began wondering if because I was used to teaching mindfulness, is it still as effective as when I started my practice. How can I validate this? I took the mindfulness challenge. This podcast is the second part of the series “Fact or Fiction: Does Mindfulness Work?”
I put myself in the spotlight to discover and share if I practice what I teach. I would like to share my challenge with you.
Check out our video about it here!
Resources:
https://www.goodtherapy.org/blog/psychotherapy-mindfulness/