Respite for the Mind
Renita C. Gabriel, Psy.D, contributing editor
http://www.breakthroughspsycservices.com

Tranquility. Stability. Simplicity. These are the words that best describe my experience in the moment. My mind and body are one. I open my eyes, and I am alone in the basement of my home. There is nothing unique about my surroundings only that I am alone. I embrace the moment, and the inexplicable sense of peace that has consumed my mental, emotional, spiritual, and physical states. I inhale. I am not thinking about work or the “50 million” things I have to do. I am only considering myself and my experience in the moment. I exhale and I smile.

Mindfulness meditation is considered the practice of paying attention to what you are experiencing from moment to moment without drifting into thoughts about the past or concerns about the future and without analyzing what is going on around you (Harvard Women’s Health Watch, 2011) . Meditation itself is a fundamental practice to many religions and of late, has been linked to various health benefits including decreasing stress, anxiety and depression. It has also been used as an adjunct therapy for people with chronic pain and high blood pressure.

When we think of respite, many of us think of a place to which we can physically retreat in order escape the daily hustle and bustle. To a lesser extent we may consider the mental escape that a respite could provide for us. It is evident to me that the concept of respite is twofold and therefore each part should be given equal weight. We cannot fully benefit from a physical respite unless we embrace a mental one. How many of us can attest to being “away” on vacation but taking our work, daily stresses and burdens with us? Most of us can. I would like to challenge us all this month to practice the mental aspect of respite. We can do so through mindfulness meditation as illustrated above or through other techniques. Consider the following T.I.P. below:

Take time to identify a place to facilitate a mental respite (Note: this may not require you to leave your home).

Identify how you will obtain your respite — Is it through meditation, prayer, guided imagery, etc.?

Put it into practice regularly.

References

Harvard Women's Health Watch (2011, April). Mindfulness meditation practice changes the brain. Apr; 18 (8): 6-7.

Disclaimer — Please note that the monthly “TIP” does not constitute a therapeutic relationship with the readership nor substitute for a professional consultation with a licensed mental health professional.