October 2020 - Incorporate Mindfulness

7. Responding vs. Reacting

March 10, 2021October 30, 2020 by Michelle Amussen

To learn about our Mindfulness classes click HERE</

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March 10, 2021October 30, 2020 by Michelle Amussen

Each of us, children and adults alike, tend to respond to our feelings in a rather habitual way.
We typically reside somewhere along the continuum of ignoring (suppressing) feelings or being controlled (overwhelmed) by them.
Mindfulness helps give us insight into the patterns we have with reacting to our feelings. With practice, we can “have our feelings without our feeling having us;” meaning, we are aware of our feelings without them controlling our behavior.
The way we respond to our feelings can directly impact our own suffering. Consider the equation below:

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March 10, 2021October 30, 2020 by Michelle Amussen

“The mind is like Velcro for negative experiences,” psychologist Rick Hanson is fond of saying, “and Teflon for positive ones.”
How can noticing pleasant events rewire your brain to be more positive, connected, and empathetic?
Strategies for how to notice and connect more to positive events throughout the day.

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March 10, 2021October 30, 2020 by Michelle Amussen

Mindfulness gives us the ability to notice our thoughts in a non-judgmental and curious way.
All of us have an inner critic. Dr. Amy Saltzman refers to this inner critic as, “unkind mind.”
Once we start bringing awareness to when, why, and where “unkind mind” shows up, we can be more in control of how we choose to respond.
Keep in mind that some thoughts are simply that: just a thought. We don’t need to try to judge, fix or change them. With the analogy of our own “thought bubbles”, can we notice our thoughts come and go? If you wait long enough, the bubble will eventually “pop”, the thought will go away, and a new thought will emerge.
Thoughts are not facts. Perceptions of ourselves and others are not always accurate.