Mindfulness Myths
Dialectical Behavior Therapy and Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a fundamental skill at the core of DBT that is often misconstrued, abbreviated, and easily dismissed. The perpetuation of these misconceptions has hindered many efforts to engage in the effective practice of mindfulness. Below are some of the most common myths that people – and many therapists, unfortunately – subscribe to.
Mindfulness is another word for meditation
This is one of the biggest mindfulness myths. It’s analogous to saying people only move their bodies during exercise! Mindfulness practices (yes, meditation is just one of many) are better thought of as exercise for the brain. These practices help us develop and strengthen our mental processes, including our ability to focus and inhabit the present moment.
It’s a fad, a new-age-y trend
Mindfulness has been around for quite some time, some say since the dawn of consciousness. Its practice is often imagined as a serene disconnection from reality, flowing robes and candles included. The fact is that there is no disconnection from reality – quite the opposite! Also, mindfulness is for everyone.
It’s a Buddhist thing
It is true that various religions and philosophies promote mindfulness practices; however, no one group, belief, or school of thought can claim ownership – it is an organic, human activity. Its benefits are supported by research that demonstrates its positive and lasting impact on the mind, the spirit and the body.
It’s painfully time-consuming
While some seasoned mindfulness practitioners and advocates do recommend 45+ minutes of daily engagement, we can experience some immediate benefits from taking just a few moments to practice mindfulness. If we consider the amount of time and energy spent on the distractions and problems in life, taking a few moments to engage one of the many mindfulness activities is a healthier, more nourishing alternative.
People who practice mindfulness are masters of their craft and are always mindful
Mindfulness is not the path to perfection; the two concepts are unrelated. Those familiar with mindfulness will likely experience the benefits but will certainly not always be in the moment or in the zone. It’s important to remember that seeking to be ever-mindful means that one is clinging to a goal and therefore not in the moment.
Mindfulness can make problems go away
Mindfulness is about deciding what to focus on and when. It can offer a way to attend to something other than a problem when you choose to take a break. It also affords you a different way to focus on the problem when you decide to come back to it. This shift in your approach can supplement your efforts when problem-solving and help you become more effective.
People with attention deficit, racing thoughts, intrusive thinking, or other problems cannot practice mindfulness
Mindfulness will not turn problems off or make them go away, but with practice, it will eventually minimize the impact of these problems on your life. Just as mindfulness can change the way we interact with painful experiences, it can also change the way we interact with ADHD, racing thoughts, intrusive thinking, or other challenges.
Mindfulness is impossible for children, people with cognitive disabilities, and [insert another category of people]
If you’ve ever taken the opportunity to observe children eating or playing, you will notice that their exploratory senses are engaged – they are there and in the moment. This is what mindfulness is. People of various developmental and cognitive abilities can exercise focus of their attention and connect to the present moment. This ability can be fostered with the help of another person. Even if a person cannot explain mindfulness conceptually, a more concrete approach can engage their mindfulness skills. For example, instructing a young child to “smell the flowers” or “blow out the candles” can engage them in the mindful practice of breathing.
I’m unable to practice mindfulness
It’s important to note that we may already be engaged with mindfulness. Ask yourself where and with what do you find yourself fully connected and inhabiting the moment? It could be when playing a sport or instrument, when you’re carrying out a hobby, or you’re “in the zone” with your work. It can happen when you cook, do gardening, or when you’re in prayer or connecting spiritually. You can use already existing practices of mindfulness to branch out and develop your skills. Mindfulness is like any other skill set in that you get out of it what you put into it.
It’s all about pleasure, peace, and relaxation
While it can promote peace and relaxation, mindfulness is actually about relating to all types of experiences, including the uncomfortable, negative, and even painful ones. Consider how often we attempt to escape these experiences only to make them worse. Fundamentally acceptance-based and nonjudgmental in nature, mindfulness can prevent pain from turning into suffering, which is a more chronic and pronounced type of pain. Mindfulness can really change the way we interact with uncomfortable or painful experiences.
What it really is
It means choosing to pay attention to this very moment, on purpose and without judgment. It allows us to become more aware of our emotions, thoughts, behaviors, environment, bodily sensations, and relationships. The more mindfully aware we become, the more we make informed and effective choices that lead to more satisfying lives. Research on mindfulness has also shown that it makes positive and lasting changes to our brains.
Mindfulness opens the doors to acceptance, experience, and connection to ourselves and the world around us – myths and misconceptions only deprive us of these resources. Mindfulness allows us access to more complete and richer information and experiences that can guide us as we work to improve our quality of life.
BODY TEXT
Online Group Therapy
Interested in joining an online therapeutic skills group.? Register online and start with a group right away.
Higgins & Carter LLC
is located in the historical Monadnock Building and has been providing mental health services in the Chicago loop since 2010. It has been our mission to provide comprehensive and cost-effective mental health treatment.
