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Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember21 Aug 2018, 4:31 pm AEST

Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

For this Topic Tuesday, we thought we would revisit a coping strategy that is spoken about a lot these days - mindfulness. The practice of mindfulness can help us to maintain our wellbeing and manage overwhelming and stressful times, however it can be hard to take the time to practice and intimidating to start. We will investigate how this coping mechanism can be adapted into your own self care as a supporter of a loved one. You may even be able to share with them what you learn and approach it together!

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I'm new here - what is Topic Tuesday?

Topic Tuesday runs from 7pm - 9pm AEST monthly. Each month we focus on a different topic, with the session facilitated by a Community Manager or Moderator. Sometimes Topic Tuesday will feature a special guest, who is an expert in the topic.

The first post of the thread (this one) will give you an idea of what the topic is and what will be covered.

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Throughout the session, the facilitator will put questions out for you to answer, usually asking for your own experience on the topic. To contribute to the session, just hit the 'reply' button and share your thoughts. No answers are right or wrong and everyone is welcome to get involved.

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In response to: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

CheerBearSenior Contributor25 Sept 2018, 7:16 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Hi @Former-Member @Adge @Shaz51 @Former-Member and all.

Like you Adge, my understanding of mindfulness is that it is about being in the present moment. Also experiencing things in the "now" without judgment.

I hope (and try to use) mindfulness to help me not get too caught up in my emotions.

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

AdgeSenior Contributor25 Sept 2018, 7:17 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Trying to be more present in each moment @Former-Member Instead of getting caught-up in thoughts about the past, or the future. That way I can better interact with people in the here & now, & take up present opportunities - instead of missing out on them (because feeling yukky etc). For example - this morning Dr diagnosed a serious Hernia needing fairly urgent surgery. I'm feeling very stress about that, & am caught up in thoughts & feelings about it (all of today). So instead I'm trying to engage in a Mindfulness discussion - to distract myself positively away from that. Adge

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember25 Sept 2018, 7:17 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Welcome along @SA64 - great to have you with us this evening.

Some mindfulness activities can be very much related to grounding techniques!

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Shaz51Senior Contributor25 Sept 2018, 7:17 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

hello @SA64, @CheerBear

In response to: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

SnowieSenior Contributor25 Sept 2018, 7:19 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Hi @Former-Member

Mindfulness to me is bringing one's attention to the present moment. I am hoping it can help me with my everyday life but I know it is not something that can be taught overnight. It needs practice to be able to do mindfulness properly.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember25 Sept 2018, 7:20 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Welcome @CheerBear! Thanks for sharing your goals. And @Adge what a great achievement already to join in tonight to get away from negative thoughts. I think everyone’s interpretations of mindfulness is pretty spot on.

Mindfulness is (as defined in this SANE blog) a mental and physical technique you can use to focus your awareness on the present moment. Being in the moment helps you acknowledge, accept and cope with painful or intrusive thoughts, feelings and sensations.

Here are just a few fundamentals of mindfulness:

Observing (paying attention to what you might see in front of you, what colour is the plate you are eating your breakfast on?)
Describing (describe an object in front of you as if to someone else who couldn’t see it)
Noticing thoughts and being non-judgemental

What are some other mindfulness tasks you may have tried or heard of?

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Shaz51Senior Contributor25 Sept 2018, 7:21 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

@Former-Member

a question ---- is being Mindfulness different to thinking and writting down what you need to do tomorrow ??

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

SA64Contributor25 Sept 2018, 7:22 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

I certainly find apps help. I started out with a mindfulness app and switched to guided meditation. They are short and sweet, about 10 minutes long, and I set aside time each day to do them. It took me a while to get in the groove of it, but it's now part of my life. I certainly found it difficult at first to do self care as I thought of it as selfish. Turned out it was necessary. It has helped me so much over the years in all aspects of my life.

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Unknown userMember25 Sept 2018, 7:22 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Welcome @Snowie - always good to be realistic about the strategies we take into our everyday. It's a good start to be here and learning with everyone!

In response to: Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

CheerBearSenior Contributor25 Sept 2018, 7:26 pm AEST

Re: Topic Tuesday // Understanding Mindfulness // Tues 25 Sep, 7pm AEDT

Hiya @Shaz51 😊

@Adgereally sorry to hear that. That would be very stressful. I think its interesting you mentioned using mindfulness to distract you. To me mindfulness would be acknowledging both the stress and worry that's inside you (rather than trying to move away from them) while also engaging in whatever else is going on (like this discussion). I can see how completely absorbing yourself in something like this may work as a mindful kind of distraction though.

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