Last Updated on 8 March 2024 by Brisbane Livewell Clinic
There is both an art and a science to Naturopathy and the same can be said for Mindfulness and Meditation. The research shows what many already know – practicing mindfulness and engaging in meditation are good for health and wellbeing. The practice of mindfulness has helped thousands of people to live more intentionally and develop the skills necessary to manage chronic pain, disease, depression, sleeping problems, and anxiety. (1) After all, there is a reason why so many healthcare practitioners encourage their patients to consider a mindfulness practice to better manage chronic conditions and improve treatment outcomes.
Make way for Mindfulness
The practice of mindfulness involves a variety of meditative techniques designed to focus attention on experience in the present moment. (2) Ways to incorporate mindfulness and meditation into your daily life may include:
- A gentle yoga practice including relaxation
- Breath awareness
- Journaling
- Mindful eating
- Contemplative walking
- Spending time in nature
- Art and craft activities or art therapy
- Playing a musical instrument
Healing is a State of Mind
Mindfulness encourages openness, curiosity, and acceptance. (2,4,5) It is these qualities that often lead patients to seek out natural healthcare practitioners, as they become more open to receiving advice, curious about treatment options and accepting of their health concerns. Mindfulness leads to a mental state characterised by non-judgmental awareness of the present moment experience, including one’s: (3)
- sensations
- thoughts
- bodily states
- consciousness
- the environment
All of these aspects can be related to health awareness and the process of healing and mindfulness can be considered as a preventative and therapeutic intervention. (4) When a person discusses their health concerns with their practitioner, their therapeutic relationship also requires mindfulness.
Meditating Your Way to Better Gut Health
Gut health is a common health complaint reported to natural healthcare practitioners. Mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) programs can be effective interventions for chronic gastrointestinal disorders. IBS sufferers respond favourably to MBSR utilising diaphragmatic breathing, body scanning, and meditation, helping to target various symptoms like bloating and pain.
(4) Mindful eating is the simple act of paying close attention during the consumption of food, helping individuals savour the moment, their food and encouraging their full presence for the eating experience.(1) Mindful eating offers a scientifically-proven and effective way to help regulate the stress response for optimal digestive function, also helping to improve problematic eating habits such as desensitising hunger and satisfaction cues. (4)
Mind over Matter
Mindfulness encourages living fully in each moment and appreciating life as it is. (1) This can be especially helpful for mental wellbeing. Researchers have reported promising results trialling mindfulness interventions for mental health concerns including: (2) (5)
- attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)
- bipolar disorder
- panic disorder
- generalized anxiety disorder
- eating disorders
- psychosis
- anger issues
- alcohol and substance abuse
Putting your mind to it
When you feel like your body has a mind of its own and maintaining your health feels more challenging, practicing supportive techniques like mindfulness and meditation can help to create awareness and make way for resolution. Naturopathy is only complemented by these practices, and like-minded people can bring about positive change together. Part of meditation involves guidance, so make your way into the clinic for some peace of mind.
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