Amidst a global pandemic, lockdowns, and quarantines, one thing remains consistent, and that is our online sessions with our clients. Specializing in millenials, a common trend we are continuing to encounter is the newfound art of ‘sitting with ourselves’.
Pre-March, 2020, before the world took a pause, life was busy. Juggling a job or two, maybe a family, a social life, trying to remain engaged in hobbies or an active lifestyle; it didn’t feel like there was much time to breathe, let alone sit and reflect. Now with many, if not all, of our ‘typical’ obligations on pause, we are left with just ourselves.
What does this look like and feel like? Having our schedules depleted, we are left to create a new normal for ourselves. Some of our ‘new normals’ look like 8-10 hours of screen time, a friendly reminder our phones graciously give us every Sunday morning. This screen time is typically the upmost distraction to our own thoughts, worries, or concerns. Of course, depending what we are absorbing through our phones, it could also be fueling these thoughts.
We are now hearing our clients share that they are actively working on ‘sitting with themselves’, and we honestly want to hug them. But, you know, social distancing. Think of it this way; when is the last time you took a walk, sat in a comfortable place in your home, or meditated with no other sounds or prompts present? No podcasts, music, audiobooks, phone calls, face-times, etc. No distractions from what we are truly thinking and feeling. It’s probably been a while.
Getting into this habit can be difficult, and very uncomfortable, but the results are well worth the ride. Here are some evidence-based benefits of practicing mindfulness, or sitting with ourselves;
- Stress reduction: studies show that mindfulness reduces the release of cortisol, therefore reducing stress responses in our bodies
- Anxiety reduction: having control and awareness of our thoughts can reduce anxiety responses
- Promotes emotional health: mindfulness has been shown to decrease the release of cytokines, inflammatory chemicals that often lead to depressive symptoms
- Enhances self awareness: mindfulness teaches us that are thoughts can be destructive or self-defeating, and gives us back the control to move them towards more constructive patterns
- Lengthens attention span: mindfulness improves our ability to re-focus our attention on the here-and-now
- Can generate kindness: if we are happy and content with ourselves, practicing non-avoidant behaviors, this will typically translate to our relationships to others
- Improves sleep: being able to control our thoughts can lead to an easier time falling asleep and more of a chance of staying asleep
Many don’t know that our crammed schedules and overly-indulgent technology habits would become a barrier to experiencing such positive results. Of course, many do know this but recognize the difficulty in practicing mindfulness, or sitting with just ourselves. Some struggle with some pretty defeating or chaotic thoughts, and frankly it can be easier to distract ourselves rather than think through them. But like all good habits, we must start somewhere. Here are some tips on getting started and easing into this wonderful habit;
- Set aside a time each day, or every other day, even for just five minutes
- Find a comfortable spot in your home, maybe even one that you could dedicate just to this habit
- Allow your thoughts to flow; acknowledge them, accept them for what they are, and move to the next
- Do not be discouraged by negative thought patterns; you are in control, and acknowledgement is the first step
If you are up for trying to create this habit, let us know! We would love to hear how the experience is going for you.
Click here for more information on Anxiety Therapy.
Connect with us on Instagram
Connect with us on Facebook
Check us out online
