How can mindfulness be a helpful technique in managing pain?

Mindfulness provides individuals with increasing overall wellbeing, in turn lowering stress. Practicing mindfulness has also been found to improve attentional switching, (the ability to sustain attention without the mind wandering) and selective attention (e.g helping take your attention away from pain and focusing on other areas of life). 

Here are a few examples of exercises to get started: 

• Guided breathing: Complete a mindful breathing exercise guided by a YouTube video,  podcast or app for a few minutes each day

• Gratitude Journaling: Think of 3 things you are grateful for each day and write them down!  Practicing gratitude boosts our mental health and relationship with ourselves as well as others. This practice will affirm the good things that come your way and the daily good that comes from connections with others in your life.) 

• Strengths-based reflection: You are good at a lot of things! Take 5 minutes to reflect on and think about a skill/ability you are good at. 

Looking for more tips?! Reach out to us to learn more!