Mental Health Week Challenge: Every day mindfulness

Hi @BlueBay I do the same as you. Everything is set up in my brain as a pass or fail and to pass is always hard. I did the activity that @NikNik mentioned. I found it really good as I had to concentrate quite hard. We also did an activity in my mindfulness classes where you put a small snap lock bag of rice on your head and try to move your arms and legs one limb at a time. This is one of the only activities I can do where is uses all my brain power and no other thoughts can come in.

Im late to the party as always but since I'm being in 'hospital at home' at the moment I'm going to try and do my colouring book since I haven't touched it since my last hospital visit. I will try 15min per day. I will also try to have a coffee outside and be mindful of my surroundings using my senses and try not to get hooked into all the jobs outside that need to be done.

Hi @Former-Member

I remember doing a mindfulness exercise with my therapist. He gave me a raisin in my hand. I had to sit there and look at the raisin, touch it and feel the texture. Then I had to smell the raisin, then put it in my mouth. I couldn't just chew it straight away; i had to leave it in my mouth, swirl it around my mouth and then bite it. It took a minute or two but i had to be very mindful of the whole process.

I think my brain is like that too - either pass or fail; good or bad; right or wrong.

I do enjoy my colouring book; and also of late I have been doing some drawings on blank paper of mandalas. It keeps my mindful of my drawing and it relaxes me.

Hi @Former-Member Welcome to the party

You just reminded me that I haven't used my colouring book in MONTHS. Hmm I might pull that out over the weekend.

@BlueBay I think the fact that you're aware that you're hard on yourself is quite a big deal.

I don't think anyone is ever in a constant state of 'loving themselves' I think it's an up & down thing - I think it's important for us to acknowledge ourselves when we have done something positive - whether that be feeling proud, givings yourself a high five, a pat on the back - whatever you want it to be. That's one way I see of being kind to ourselves. For example, you have posted in here on the days you HAVE done your activity.. actually you have done a mindfulness activity more days this week than you haven't - and that's something you should be proud of.

It's normal to feel angry, frustrated or upset with ourselves, but we also need to notice the things we do well and acknowledge that too.

I guess I realised how much I set up those polar extremes (black and white thinking) only just today @BlueBay. When I messaged my therapist today about my latest revelation I asked what the middle ground was she told me mindfulness. I guess I have lots of mindfulness work to do to find a middle ground and not come undone so much. I like the raison activity too. We did it with a mint leaf.

I hope tomorrow goes better for you. Take care of you. 💜😊🤗💐

You too @Former-Member hope your day is better as well.

And @NikNik thank you for your reply. Really appreciate your feedback always 🙂

@NikNik

LOL 🙂 that is so funny; it would have been sticky as well. Yuk!!!

Night body scan - tick!

Mindful morning cup of tea - tick!

How did everyone else go?