With any new technique or skill, you must prepare your mind and body for change, by enduring a bit of discomfort, allowing self-patience, and adding in a dose of humility. The MBSR course is a great way to focus on self – reduce stress, be more in touch with your body and your thoughts and induce calm into your life. Calm ignites more creativity, better decision making and improved coping skills with conflict, trials, health issues, and our busy lives.
So, to get the most of our your MBSR Course, here are a few tips:
- Make a time commitment with yourself. Take time out of your busy schedule to focus on the class and do your homework throughout the week. If you’ve invested time and money into the course, give it your all so you get the best return on your investment.
- Get engaged during the discussions and breakout sessions. Share your experience, your thoughts, your fears and your successes – don’t be afraid to express yourself as your words will prove beneficial to the others in the group.
- Take time for yourself to just ‘be’. Before starting you must be able to find this uninterrupted time for yourself. The weekly homework practice consists of at least 45 minutes of daily meditation for 6 days per week. It can be difficult to start out with the first two weeks, but gets easier during the full 8 week course. Often, we are so consumed with constantly doing and having external stimuli that sitting still for 45 minutes can be very challenging but soon the adjustment will become more natural.
- Be open and willing to be uncomfortable. Becoming more aware of your thoughts, feelings, emotions during the mindfulness sessions can cause discomfort and a need for distraction. But the key component of mindfulness is non-judgmental awareness. Therefore, part of having an uncomfortable experience is truly experiencing it and not turning away from it.
- Prepare your family and friends. Inform your partner, kids, family, friends and workmates that you will be committing time each week for the class which can be 1-2.5 hours, and also time to complete the homework and mindfulness sessions each week. This will reduce interruptions and increase understanding of your loved ones, as well as get them engaged and supportive of your mindfulness journey. (Before the classes and practice session, make sure your pets are taken out and have snacks, treats, water to occupy themselves as well.)
Just enjoy. Sit back, relax and realize the time you take for mindful self-care will only benefit you in the end.
We will be offering MBSR 8-week courses in early 2025, as well as one-time Group Sessions to see if MBSR is something you’d like to explore and experience without the 8 week commitment. At the MBSR Introductory Session, you will learn more about Mindfulness benefits, learn how to prepare mind, body and soul before you begin, and experience mindfulness practices with a certified and trained MBSR facilitator.
About Audrey A. Simmons MBA, MS, BSN, RN, PMH-BC, ACC
- Master of Business Administration
- Master of Science in Nursing Leadership and Education
- Bachelor of Science in Nursing
- Associate Coaching Certificate
- Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction Teacher in Training at UCSD Center with mentorship from Beth Mulligan
- Workplace Mindfulness Trained Facilitator at Mindful Leader
- Trauma-Informed Care Trained
- Crisis Prevention Trained
- ADHD-Certified Clinical Services Provider
