What is Mindfulness, and How Does it Help?

Mindfulness, in simple terms, is awareness of what is happening internally and externally. Mindfulness helps students focus, complete assignments, and manage difficult emotions, even when their external and internal surroundings feel overwhelming. 

There are many mindfulness tools and techniques that can help. Here are three that you might find useful!

1. Mindfulness for Improved Focus

Concentration and focus are important for students of all ages, but sometimes it can be easy to get distracted. Whether you want to pay attention to lectures or stay on task when completing assignments, this focus mindfulness exercise can help:

• Close your eyes, and take a slow, deep breath. Notice the coolness of the air as it fills your lungs.
• Feel your lungs and stomach expand as you breathe in and get smaller as you breathe out.
• Listen carefully to any sounds that are happening around you externally, like the ticking of a clock, the rustling of papers, or the singing of birds.
• Turn your attention inward and listen to yourself. Notice your breathing and the sound of your heartbeat.
• Think about what you want to focus on. Open your eyes, and carefully place all your attention on this one thing. Let all other sights and sounds fade into the background. 

2. Mindfulness for Academic Performance

Do you struggle to get things done? Procrastination is a common problem, and there is a mindfulness technique that is designed for this specifically. It is called the Pomodoro Technique. With this technique, regular work sessions are broken up with frequent, short breaks. This provides a manageable goal while helping to prevent burnout or lost focus. Here is how it’s done:

• Decide which task you need to get done, like a homework assignment or studying for a test.
• Set a timer for 25 minutes and focus on the task at hand for that entire time.
• After the time is up, take a 5-minute break. 
• Do this four times, then take a longer break of 15-30 minutes.

The time-frame used can be adjusted based on the age of the student and their ability to remain focused without stress. 

3. Mindfulness for Stress Relief

Students can experience stress from a wide range of sources academically, socially, and personally. Having a go-to mindfulness technique for managing stress can help the student deal with the challenges of day-to-day life. Here is one bible-based stress-relief mindfulness method that you might find useful:

• Choose one of your favorite scriptures that brings you peace and comfort. For some suggestions, see the list below.
• Begin by taking a few slow, deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth.
• Open your eyes and read the scripture slowly while thinking carefully about the meaning of each word.
• Repeat the process of slow, deep breaths while reading and meditating on the scripture until the stress you are feeling subsides.

Suggested Scriptures for Mindfulness

When choosing scripture to use in the mindfulness technique above, find something that is short, easy to read, and inspiring. Here are some suggestions:

• Psalm 46:1-3: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
• Philippians 4:6: Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.
• 1 Peter 5:7: Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you.
• Psalm 94:19: When my anxious thoughts multiply within me, your consolations delight my soul.

Christian Counseling in Raleigh, NC Teaches Mindfulness to Students

Whether you are a parent who wants to help your child succeed, or you’re a student yourself, mindfulness is a useful tool. Do you want more tips and techniques that are geared to the specific needs of your child, teen, or yourself? Consider Christian counseling in Raleigh!

Sojourner Counseling is a team of professional Christian therapists in Raleigh that offer proven therapeutic counseling from a faith-based approach. We can teach traditional mindfulness techniques, as well as those that utilize biblical resources. If you are looking for a “Christian counselor near me” that provides this service, then reach out to us soon!

The post Back to School: 3 Mindfulness Tools for Students first appeared on Sojourner Counseling.

The post Back to School: 3 Mindfulness Tools for Students appeared first on Sojourner Counseling.

• What is Mindfulness to a Christian?
• How Do You Practice Mindfulness as a Christian?
• Is Mindfulness Used in Christian Counseling?

What is Mindfulness to a Christian?

Christian mindfulness practices are not the same as secular mindfulness practices, because the focus and the goals are different. The goal of practicing mindfulness as a Christian can be summarized as “taking captive every thought and making it obedient to Christ.” 

We can explore this idea even further. What thoughts are we taking captive, and how are we using mindfulness to bring these thoughts into obedience to our God? Practicing mindfulness as a Christian can include:

• Meditating on God’s Ways: Make me understand the way of your precepts, and I will meditate on your wondrous works (Psalm 119:27).

• Developing a Mindset of Prayer: Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
• Thinking on Good Things: And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things (Philippians 4:7-8).
• Discerning God’s Will: Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect (Romans 12:2).

How Do You Practice Mindfulness as a Christian?

Have you ever prayed? If you’re a Christian, then you probably have. That alone can be considered an act of mindfulness. During prayer, you are mindful of the presence of God as you praise Him, seek guidance, and ask for Him to intervene in your life or in the life of others. Here are some additional ways to practice mindfulness as a Christian:

• Focused Bible Study: Let’s say that you are dealing with depression, and you want to “take captive” those negative thoughts. Doing a Bible study on God’s remedy for depression can take your mind off the present troubles and focus them on the promises of God. The same can be applied to a myriad of other troubles that we face.
• Admiring God’s Creation: The creation testifies of our Creator, and though the Creator is not Himself the Creation, we can rid our mind of unwanted thoughts and feelings by immersing ourselves in the awe of all that God has made for us.
• Sitting in Silence with God: Sometimes, the best thing that we can do is to sit in silence with God. Whatever feelings or thoughts you have, acknowledge them, and give them up to God, trusting that He hears those who “cast their cares on the Lord.” 

Is Mindfulness Used in Christian Counseling?

The goal of Christian counseling is to help you overcome mental, emotional, and relational problems through a mixture of proven therapeutic methods and faith-based practices. For example, many therapists utilize Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT) as a method of understanding thoughts and feelings that lead to undesired behaviors, and this is largely rooted in mindfulness practices.

Faith-based mindfulness is a key component of Christian CBT therapy. Your counselor might use scripture and prayer to help you evaluate your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors from a Christian perspective while providing you with good things to center your mind and life around. Christian Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can be used to help with anxiety, depression, trauma, and more.

Are There Christian Counselors in Raleigh, NC Who Use Mindfulness Practices?

Every Christian counselor is different in his or her approach, but there are many who implement faith-based mindfulness practices as a method of dealing with unhealthy thoughts and behavior patterns. Are you interested in finding Christian therapists in Raleigh, NC who know how to use mindfulness as a Christian? 

Find out more about Christian CBT therapy and mindfulness practices today by contacting Sojourner Counseling. We are a local source of Christian counseling in Raleigh for therapy related to trauma, anxiety, depression, teenage counseling, and more. 

The post How to Practice Mindfulness as a Christian first appeared on Sojourner Counseling.

The post How to Practice Mindfulness as a Christian appeared first on Sojourner Counseling.