We are Telehealth Therapists and as such, we are here to show support for our community as best we can in these tough times. Please contact our intake coordinator Tiffany, at info@eymtherapy.com or on our contact page. We are providing reduced fee virtual sessions. You are not alone.
During this time where we face quarantine and shelter in place obligations for the safety of our fellow New Yorkers and Human Beings all across the country and world – it might be hard to feel mindful, present and grounded.
A way to increase love and compassion for ourselves and others
Loving Kindness one of many mindfulness exercises we can engage in when we need to increase compassion and decrease judgment and hostility towards ourselves or others.
If you’re having a particularly hard time showing kindness for yourself or someone else, loving kindness is a quick way to practice a powerful mindfulness skill.
How do we practice Loving Kindness?
- Choose a person to send loving kindness towards. Start with yourself, but if that is difficult, then start with a person you already love.
- Get into a comfortable position – sitting, standing, or lying down. Begin to breath deeply and slowly – Open your palms as you gently bring the person you have selected to mind.
- Recite a set of warm wishes such as “May I be healthy,” “May I be Safe.” If you have distracting thoughts, just note them and gently bring your mind back to your script.
- As you recite your script, imagine yourself being enveloped by warmth and kindness until you feel yourself completely immersed in it.
- Practice each day! Start with whatever you feel most comfortable, and work towards people that are more difficult for you.
1, 2, 3… Loving Kindness
Loving Kindness can also be done while walking, while at work, or while laying down before bed. You take as much time to dedicate to your practice as you feel you can and are able to that particular day.
This means that you can spend 1 minute, or 2 minutes. or an hour on this practice.
Very quick mindfulness exercises include simply taking a deep breath and saying at least 1 loving-kindness statement to yourself.
Other Mindfulness Exercises we can take part in –
Mindfully eating, sitting, walking, jogging, is just about observing and describing what is happening around you during those tasks and being more present during those tasks by throwing yourself into them completely and wholly (Participating). This could be singing or dancing and throwing yourself into these activities without judgment or worry.
Be nonjudgmental
Note your self-critical statements, observe them, and then shift them into objective statements.
One-mindfulness
One-mindfulness is a mindfulness skill of doing one thing in one moment.
It is about giving up multitasking and only concentrating at the task you are doing such as washing, cooking or talking to a friend.
Effectiveness
Effectiveness is all about seeing how we can improve our skills and practice them more effectively during this time. If you like the social aspect of going to a gym and doing a class, maybe you start a virtual exercise party!
Deep Breathing
Deep Breathing is a mindfulness practice that many can do simply while they are sitting, watching Netflix or doing something else. Check out our Blog on 4/2/20 about deep breathing, here!
“It is only in our darkest hours that we may discover the true strength of the brilliant light within ourselves that can never, ever, be dimmed.” – Doe Zantamata
