Common Misconceptions About Mindfulness

It took me a while to really give mindfulness a go, because I was introduced to it at a time when I was fighting to be heard and taken seriously regarding my physical health. It was pushed onto me along with CBT as a way to deal with the anxiety which was supposedly at the root of all my symptoms. Needless to say, I was not into entertaining even the thought of trying it! I eventually did come back to it, and I’m so glad I did because it helped me to a huge extent with my healing journey.

I was pleasantly surprised to learn that contrary to what a lot (not all of course!) of healthcare providers put across, mindfulness is not about accepting, dealing with and getting on with chronic illness alone, without trying to seek medical advice and treatment. Yes, ‘acceptance’ is a part of mindfulness, but it doesn’t mean accepting everything life throws at you without seeking change (you can read a post I wrote on this here).

Acceptance in mindfulness simply means opening your eyes to your full experience as it is, without judging or denying or resisting. What you then choose to do about your experience is entirely up to you. You may wish to keep things the same or you may wish to change, but taking that mindful pause can help ensure that choice is rooted in thought and care rather than simply being an automatic reaction.

Let’s look at some other common myths you may have heard…

Misconception #1: Mindfulness is only practised through meditation

Although mindfulness can be practised through meditation, it is not the only way. Being mindful simply means being present and aware - this can be done at any point in the day and while performing any task or action that you would normally do. It could be something simple like paying attention to the feel of the water as you take a shower, noticing the sensation of your breath, or perhaps just enjoying being in the moment while connecting and laughing with a loved one.

Photo by JD Mason on Unsplash

Misconception #2: You have to clear your mind

It’s completely normal to have thoughts during mindfulness - your mind will naturally wander. Mindfulness involves noticing that we’re having thoughts, perhaps paying attention to what the thoughts are, and then choosing where to focus our attention. Rather than clearing your mind, mindfulness involves resting your awareness on some aspect of the present moment. This could be looking outwards and paying attention to what you can see, hear, touch, smell or taste, or it could mean looking inwards and becoming aware of sensations in your body, connecting with your breath, or taking a step back and paying attention to what’s going on in your mind.

Misconception #3: If you don’t feel calm, it isn’t working

When we practice mindfulness, the aim isn’t to feel calm. This is often a welcome side-effect, of course(!), but it isn’t the purpose. Mindfulness is simply becoming aware of how we are feeling, and so it doesn’t always feel relaxing in the moment. Sometimes it brings up discomfort or difficult emotions we’ve been avoiding. That’s not a sign we’re doing it wrong - it shows we’re being brave enough to turn towards what’s really here. When we allow ourselves the courage to acknowledge and accept what’s going on for us in the present moment, we often naturally feel calmer as a result. This is because by focusing solely on the present, we are letting go of past stresses and worries about the future.

Misconception #4: Mindfulness is about stopping negative thoughts

Mindfulness involves building awareness of what’s going on for us in the present moment, which includes making space for negative thoughts and less desirable emotions as well as for the positive. Mindfulness teaches us to meet those thoughts and feelings with gentle curiosity, self-compassion and acceptance. It also helps us build our self-awareness so that we can distinguish between thoughts and facts - we come to notice when we are having negative thoughts and we learn how to take care of ourselves in response.

Misconception #5: Mindfulness practice takes a lot of time

While establishing a habit of practice may take some time, mindfulness itself doesn’t need to take hours or involve sitting in silence. It doesn’t even require you to take time out of your usual routine - it could simply be a few intentional breaths between tasks, noticing your feet on the ground during a walk, doing a few mindful stretches as you move or being present with your cup of tea.

Photo by Noémi Macavei-Katócz on Unsplash

Misconception #6: Mindfulness is only beneficial for mental health.

Although it is true that mindfulness can help with aspects of mental health, such as lowering stress and anxiety levels, decreasing depression and boosting self-confidence, it can also improve your overall health in many ways, including:

• Enhancing your memory and mental flexibility (the ability to focus your attention on different things)

• Improving sleep quality

• Increasing emotional regulation and resilience

• Calming your nervous system

• Reducing pain and increasing pain tolerance

• Improving your life satisfaction (including those living with chronic illness)

Like many things, mindfulness is often misunderstood, but it is simply about learning to meet ourselves as we are. We have the flexibility to practice mindfulness in whatever ways feel best for us.

I hope this post has helped bring a bit more clarity, and maybe even sparked a gentle curiosity to explore mindfulness in your own way, at your own pace. If you’ve got any questions or would like to discuss how mindfulness could support you, jut get in touch or book a chat here - I’d be more than happy to help.

Lisa xx