The role mindfulness can play in your mental health
According to Headspace, mindfulness is the quality of being present and fully engaged with whatever is happening at the moment. Mindfulness can play a role in one’s mental health especially if someone is trying to make healthy changes in their life.
Becoming mindful to make healthy changes to your mental health is a lifestyle change like any other type of change would be. Marie Greco, a Family Link Therapist with the Youth Crisis Center says there are several ways to practice mindfulness. She says an issue some people run into is that they stay fixated on the past and ruminate about failures or what should have or shouldn’t have been.
Focus on Here and Now
Greco says it’s best for someone to focus on what they’re feeling in the moment rather than harping on something in the past.
“I think a lot of people get caught up on the thoughts they should have done or shouldn’t have done.”
Greco recommends once you acknowledge you have a bad thought or feeling anxious, to just try to let it go. She says even if someone is having a bad thought that does not make them a bad person or means that particular thought will became their reality. She suggests to try your best to not compare yourself to others.
Mindful Exercises
Greco says there are several ways to practice mindfulness as you work to achieve the goal of making healthy changes in your life. She recommends changes like healthy eating and grounding techniques. Grounding techniques can be helpful for those looking to be more present. Someone can try reciting a mantra or a positive affirmation to try and navigate their way out of their negative thoughts.
Journaling can also be used as technique. Whether it’s specifically for mindfulness or just to keep a daily log of your life.
Youth Crisis Center’s Family Link Program
YCC’s Family Link program provides professional and compassionate short-term, outpatient counseling services to families with children ages 6-17 who are experiencing concerns that could disrupt the health and stability of the family. These services are available at no cost to residents of Baker, Clay, Duval, St. Johns and Nassau counties through appointments at the child’s school or other community locations. Click to learn more about Family Link and the 5 Ways to Strengthen Your Family. All Family Link counseling sessions are confidential. To learn more about services, please call (904) 725-6662.
