mindfullness opinions

[oldnews]

Anyone read the boom mindfulness? Anyone find it helpful? Or recomend a book that is good for anxiety?

[MyNameIsTerry]

Yes, I found it very helpful. It helped more with my OCD by far than CBT.

It has been created into more specific 8 week treatment programmes for anxiety & depression now, originally in the form of Jon Kabat-Zinn's MBSR and later in Professor Mark Williams's co created MBCT. MBCT has gained NICE approval for treatment of reoccurent depression and I expect it will gain recommendations for anxiety in the future.

Here are some searches for proof:

https://www.nice.org.uk/search?q=mindfulness

http://www.evidence.nhs.uk/search?q=mindfulness

There has been a recent clinical study, which MrAndy posted on Annie's current thread on the GAD board, which shows that these 8 week programmes in MBSR make physical changes to areas of the brain related to positives such as compassion and to the areas of the brain that relate to fear response (amygdala, hippocampus). This is great news because Mindfulness is practiced in various forms such as Tai Chi & QiGong as well as yoga to certain levels so any proof of it opens up the possibilities of alternative therapies helping us. Read more here http://www.feelguide.com/2014/11/19/...er-in-8-weeks/ & http://news.harvard.edu/gazette/stor...-better-brain/

The Headspace free 10 day app is recommended by some members of here too.

Have a look on the Therapy board where there are several threads discussing it.

[bulan]

Thanks for the info, Terry!

[popejoan]

I just found a mindfullness&Relaxation class and sent an enquiry. I don't know if it's the same thing but I'll give it a try.

[Jenwales]

I did buy a book but didn't stick to it. I'd go on youtube and look at videos and stuff on there. I don't like the type of books that require you to stick to some plan. I prefer sometimes to just put a timer on and meditate by myself other times I prefer a guide.
I think the 8 week book is the one I got, one of the tracks was just movement and I'd prefer yoga. i hate it when they say you have to do this twice a day every day. This can cause anxiety. I understand why they say it but surely there is no set rules and ways to do this and you should do what works for you?!

If your anxiety is bad mindfulness can be a relief and I'm sure if you stick to it it does help as it is a way of calming your thoughts.
I remember a time when yoga and meditation really helped me but I just can't seem to stick to it anymore or fit it in to get that benefit anymore

it's worth a look on youtube to try one, I like this one:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2_UfFIszkY

[anthrokid]

In general, mindfulness/relaxation is helpful for anxiety, whether you learn/practice form a book, internet videos, or attend sessions/classes. Definitely worth a shot :)

[MyNameIsTerry]

I did buy a book but didn't stick to it. I'd go on youtube and look at videos and stuff on there. I don't like the type of books that require you to stick to some plan. I prefer sometimes to just put a timer on and meditate by myself other times I prefer a guide.
I think the 8 week book is the one I got, one of the tracks was just movement and I'd prefer yoga. i hate it when they say you have to do this twice a day every day. This can cause anxiety. I understand why they say it but surely there is no set rules and ways to do this and you should do what works for you?!

If your anxiety is bad mindfulness can be a relief and I'm sure if you stick to it it does help as it is a way of calming your thoughts.
I remember a time when yoga and meditation really helped me but I just can't seem to stick to it anymore or fit it in to get that benefit anymore

it's worth a look on youtube to try one, I like this one:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2_UfFIszkY

That sounds like Professor Mark Williams MBCT Frantic World book. If it is, the movement is just an introduction to mindful movement in the same way that they introduce you to mindful eating. If it is the same one Jen, it does say do things X times but if you can only manage X thats ok and it gives advice on how to bend the programme if you are struggling to work with it.

I totally understand what you mean though, it can be really hard to commit to things when this is going on and when my therapist introduced me to exercises in CBT & later to Mindfulness, I found ot hard to start & keep going with it.