Cupcake4 Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 Hello everyone. I just thought I would share something with you that might help. It's nothing much but I do believe this helps. I have been given similar advise on the forum but it's also something my therapist has really been pushing on me to do and she works with other OCD patients and studies OCD to. She is a massive believer in Mindfulness and it's also helped her in her own anxiety battles. Mindfulness is not easy, it's very hard but with practise it can help. It might come easier to others. When I originally heard about Mindfulness I thought it was all about meditation (which isn't always for me) and some of it is but it's also a bit more than that, it can be a lot more simple. Often with anxiety we can spend a lot of time worrying about the past, things that may or may not have happened, obsessional thoughts and "what ifs" and also worrying a lot about the future. Mindfulness encourages you to bring your mind back to the present and focusing on other things that are in the now. Appreciating the simple things around us that we often take for granted. I challenge some of you to do some simple mindfulness before the week ends and see how you get on. It takes practise but I do think it's a great way of dealing with obsessional thoughts or if you are struck with sudden anxiety. Do it in the moment though. My therapist has told me I really need to practise this and I have seen some improvements, I'll explain below. Find some simple tasks. Nothing that takes up to much concentration but stuff that are easily done. For example reading a book, watching some of your favourite films, knitting, painting, baking, running, walking, online free courses like DuoLingo etc etc. Even if you don't feel like doing these things, do them anyway. I know when OCD is at it's worst coupled with depression, doing the most simple task almost feels impossible but try your best to do something. Almost force yourself to do something. That's why simple tasks are the best to choose, Just to go through the motions. I'm not saying that the thoughts will disappear but it's allowing them to be there whilst being involved in another task. If you get the thought for example whilst your painting a picture, acknowledge the thought as OCD and then turn your mind back to the present, keep painting your picture. Don't engage with it just simply keep painting. It's sounds easier said that done but with practise you will notice that the thoughts become less frequent or less distressing. Fill your days with little tasks like this and see how you get on. Im still in recovery and still practising Mindfulness but sometimes it's easier to not engage with a thought when you've actually got something to do. Whilst doing the task you might find that your obsessional thoughts are always there but keep going through the motions of the simple task even if you don't feel like it. Keep paining, running, walking, knitting or whatever. I hope his helps some of you out Cupcake x Link to comment
Guest ashipinharbor Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 (edited) This would definitely help! Edited January 26, 2017 by ashipinharbor Link to comment
MS19 Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 This was really great to read considering I didn't have much knowledge on Mindfulness. Definitely going to try this before bed tonight (as thats when my OCD is at its worst) Thank You Cupcake Link to comment
Cupcake4 Posted January 26, 2017 Author Share Posted January 26, 2017 You are very welcome. Stick at it and just go through the motions even if your mind is full of thoughts tonight, keep doing the task. Keep repeating this and you'll be surprised Link to comment
Swanny1 Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 6 hours ago, Cupcake4 said: Hello everyone. I just thought I would share something with you that might help. It's nothing much but I do believe this helps. I have been given similar advise on the forum but it's also something my therapist has really been pushing on me to do and she works with other OCD patients and studies OCD to. She is a massive believer in Mindfulness and it's also helped her in her own anxiety battles. Mindfulness is not easy, it's very hard but with practise it can help. It might come easier to others. When I originally heard about Mindfulness I thought it was all about meditation (which isn't always for me) and some of it is but it's also a bit more than that, it can be a lot more simple. Often with anxiety we can spend a lot of time worrying about the past, things that may or may not have happened, obsessional thoughts and "what ifs" and also worrying a lot about the future. Mindfulness encourages you to bring your mind back to the present and focusing on other things that are in the now. Appreciating the simple things around us that we often take for granted. I challenge some of you to do some simple mindfulness before the week ends and see how you get on. It takes practise but I do think it's a great way of dealing with obsessional thoughts or if you are struck with sudden anxiety. Do it in the moment though. My therapist has told me I really need to practise this and I have seen some improvements, I'll explain below. Find some simple tasks. Nothing that takes up to much concentration but stuff that are easily done. For example reading a book, watching some of your favourite films, knitting, painting, baking, running, walking, online free courses like DuoLingo etc etc. Even if you don't feel like doing these things, do them anyway. I know when OCD is at it's worst coupled with depression, doing the most simple task almost feels impossible but try your best to do something. Almost force yourself to do something. That's why simple tasks are the best to choose, Just to go through the motions. I'm not saying that the thoughts will disappear but it's allowing them to be there whilst being involved in another task. If you get the thought for example whilst your painting a picture, acknowledge the thought as OCD and then turn your mind back to the present, keep painting your picture. Don't engage with it just simply keep painting. It's sounds easier said that done but with practise you will notice that the thoughts become less frequent or less distressing. Fill your days with little tasks like this and see how you get on. Im still in recovery and still practising Mindfulness but sometimes it's easier to not engage with a thought when you've actually got something to do. Whilst doing the task you might find that your obsessional thoughts are always there but keep going through the motions of the simple task even if you don't feel like it. Keep paining, running, walking, knitting or whatever. I hope his helps some of you out Cupcake x Thanks. Going to.try this. X Link to comment
Guest OCDhavenobrain Posted January 26, 2017 Share Posted January 26, 2017 Your flcus are your only weapom against OCD. Mindfulness is abojt focus so yes it works. Link to comment
Cupcake4 Posted January 27, 2017 Author Share Posted January 27, 2017 (edited) Has anyone tried it yet? I'd love to hear how you all get on Have a great weekend Edited January 27, 2017 by Cupcake4 Link to comment
Pbrown Posted January 27, 2017 Share Posted January 27, 2017 Thankyou going to give it a go Link to comment
Cupcake4 Posted January 27, 2017 Author Share Posted January 27, 2017 Great! When doing this, do it over a few days. Give it a good go and know it takes practise Link to comment
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