Healthy Intentions Community

MINDFULNESS MONDAY

Knowing what drives our thoughts and actions is important for growth and acceptance of ourselves.

A suggestion for the week:

· Come to a comfortable position, either sitting or laying down. Bring to mind a timeframe of your choosing. I would suggest the previous week.

· Think about your thoughts and interactions with others over this timeframe. What judgements did you make of others during this period of time?

· What was that judgement based on? What standard? An anticipation of the other person’s judgement?

MINDFULNESS MONDAY

We all experience pain from time to time. Whether it is emotional or physical, we all tend to respond similarly with focusing on the uncomfortable and challenging experience and we lose the more open lens that allows us to function. Pain can feel all-encompassing, but it does not need to be as intense as our mind makes it out to be.

Studies have shown that mindfulness and meditation can help ease the degree to which we experience pain when it occurs. We can bring a sense of support and peace to our pain by envisioning love and care radiating out from others. As we open our heart to a full acceptance of support from others we are reminding ourselves that we are not alone in our suffering.

A suggestion for the week:

· Begin in a comfortable position where you are able to be at peace and…

MINDFULNESS MONDAY

Today we have a family activity. This exercise is an exploration of fear that is designed to be worked through with someone we love and trust. Having a knowledge of each other’s fears helps us to be compassionate and understanding during those times and can enable us to relate to each other accordingly when needed.

A suggestion for the week:

· Take a seat in front of your partner for this exercise, endure that you both are as comfortable as possible.

· Close your eyes and take 5 deep calming / cleansing breaths.

· Next take turns sharing something that you are each afraid of. As you are sharing be sure to give enough background for your partner to be able to understand; as you are listening respect your partner in their vulnerability- do not try to talk them out of their fear, simply listen with compassion.

MINDFULNESS MONDAY

This week we are going to explore art as therapy. Getting immersed in the art process allows us to enter a meditative state where relaxation and unconscious expression can thrive.

Releasing emotions and thoughts through a creative force can relieve stress, encourage problem solving and heighten our senses. Be aware that it can also bring up some rough memories, but it is a safe and controlled way manage our life experiences which we might not get to do in other ways.

A suggestion for the week: Therapy in creating art.

· Do something you like. If you find painting appealing you can explore the various colors and applications of paint to your canvas. If you are more of a tactile person, you might enjoy working with clay to express your emotions. Scrapbooking and making collages are another suggestion with less skill involves since you can use universal …