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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.

How do I get involved?

Topic Tuesday takes place right here! It's text based, so no software is needed. During the session, to keep up with the latest posts hit the 'refresh' button on your browser for the latest posts (it doesn't automatically update). Keep an eye for page numbers at the top & bottom of the page, and jump to the highest page number for the most recent post.

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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68 replies

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

Unknown userMember25 Sept 2018, 8:27 pm AEST

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

@Kayj - those are difficult feelings, amazing to be aware of and take notice of here - but I imagine not fun to pay attention too either. I think this would be a very common fear for a lot of people.

Finding a mindful practice you like might give you something to break that thought process up. Noticing things earlier and then being mindful of your breath, thoughts, body to get ahead of negative feelings can be useful.

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

KayjCasual Contributor25 Sept 2018, 8:29 pm AEST

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

Yes definitely. Fortunately I can usually use strategies and it's not often I feel that bad.

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

Unknown userMember25 Sept 2018, 8:30 pm AEST

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

I wonder if a mindful or grounding activity could be to list all the postive sentences that you could replace that thought with - then when you are mindful and aware of high stress moments, you could reach for that list? Sometimes having a mantra or positive affirmation to say to yourself to become mindful of your stress building can be a good grounding technique too.

What's a positive sentence/mantra you might like to use to ground/get present with @Shaz51 @Kayj and anyone else?

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

Unknown userMember25 Sept 2018, 8:39 pm AEST

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

Some ideas for positive affirmations to ground you or your loved one could be ‘we move forward with love’ or ‘we will embrace the downs to make room for the ups’. Feel free to drop in any other ones you think you and your loved one may enjoy together as well.

I'll move onto our last discussion topic in a sec guys! I know things get a bit quieter as we get a bit later into the night hehe!

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

Shaz51Senior Contributor25 Sept 2018, 8:42 pm AEST

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

@Former-Member, @Kayj, @SA64, @Adge, @CheerBear, @Former-Member

I think of the times when he is has good days , and that I love him and my mum who I also care for

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

Unknown userMember25 Sept 2018, 8:43 pm AEST

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

A lot of carers will speak about the negative emotions that are expressed to them all the time by their loved one. While we do our best to support and travel alongside our loved one through it all, it is very trying to not take their pain on board to the extent that it stops us from feeling positive emotions. A useful aspect of mindfulness practice is the practice of letting go.

‘Trying to control or avoid worries or other negative thinking…..can sometimes strengthen this negative experience rather than diminish it. Mindfulness is one way of skilfully disengaging from or letting go of negative thinking.’- from the Centre for Clinical Interventions help sheet here

As we finish up the evening, what is a thought that comes up in our relationship with our loved one that would be helpful to let go of and relieve some negative feelings or thoughts that we take on?

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

AdgeSenior Contributor25 Sept 2018, 8:46 pm AEST

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

Sounds like a very good strategy @Shaz51 Sorry, I've been too tired to contribute much - since early on. Plus trying to cook & eat dinner in the middle of it all. I've been following (reading) everyone's posts. Adge

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

Unknown userMember25 Sept 2018, 8:49 pm AEST

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

No need for apologies @Adge - lovely to have you along for the journey tonight in any form, posting or watching! 😉⭐️

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

Shaz51Senior Contributor25 Sept 2018, 8:50 pm AEST

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

Hugs @Adge

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

AdgeSenior Contributor25 Sept 2018, 8:51 pm AEST

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

Thanks @Former-Member I usually don't run out of gas (petrol) quite so quickly. Not usually until after Topic Tuesday has finished... Adge

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