Summary: <p>Mindfulness for Happiness and Relapse Prevention<br> Dr. Dawn-Elise Snipes PhD, LPC-MHSP, LMHC<br> Executive Director, AllCEUs<br> Host: Counselor Toolbox</p> <p>Continuing Education (CE) credits for addiction and mental health counselors, social workers and marriage and family therapists can be earned for this presentation at<br> <a href="https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/379/c/">https://www.allceus.com/member/cart/index/product/id/379/c/</a></p> <p>Objectives<br> – Define Mindlessness<br> – Define Mindfulness<br> – Differentiate between Mindfulness and Purposeful Action<br> – Identify how mindfulness can be useful in practice<br> – Explore several different mindfulness techniques and activities<br> What is MindLESSness<br> – Mindlessness<br> – Auto-pilot<br> – Go-with-the-flow<br> – What has always been done<br> – Examples<br> – Getting home and not remembering the drive<br> – Eating without realizing it or when you are not hungry<br> – Having intense feelings (or relapses) come from “out of the blue”<br> What is Mindfulness<br> – Mindfulness<br> – Awareness in the present moment<br> – Stop-Look-Listen-Feel-Interpret<br> – What is going on<br> – Inside you<br> – Around you<br> What is Purposeful Action<br> – Purposeful Action<br> – Becoming mindful in the present moment<br> – Acting intentionally instead of reacting emotionally<br> – Intentionally choosing behaviors and actions that will<br> – Make effective use of your energy<br> – Help you achieve your goals<br> How Did We Learn Mindlessness<br> – Messages<br> – Because I said so = Don’t ask why<br> – Suck it up = Don’t feel, just do<br> – Nobody cares/ignore it = Don’t trust<br> – That’s what everyone does = Don’t think<br> How Can Mindfulness Help<br> – Transition from reacting to acting (Be proactive)<br> – Makes more efficient and effective use of energy by making the right decisions the first time. (Begin with the end in mind)<br> – Encourages self-awareness and compassion (Seek first to understand yourself, then understand others)</p> <p>How Can Mindfulness Help<br> – Reduce inefficiency through planning and prioritizing<br> – Balance and renew your resources, energy, and health to create a sustainable, long-term, effective lifestyle.<br> – What do I need right now<br> – What options do I have to meet those needs in the present, while still moving toward future goals?<br> Mindfulness Activities<br> – Head-Heart-Gut Honesty<br> – How do you feel<br> – What do you want<br> – What do you need<br> – Attitude of Gratitude (a.k.a. Don’t Crap on the Present)<br> – Self<br> – Family<br> – Job<br> – Life</p> <p>Activities cont…<br> – 5 Minute Focus<br> – Go into a room for 5 minutes (At first it will seem like an eternity)<br> – Write down …<br> – Everything you see<br> – What you smell<br> – What you hear<br> – How you feel (Emotionally and physically)<br> Activities cont…<br> – Vulnerability Checklist<br> – Vulnerabilities are things that—when unchecked– can cause low grade stress, making you more vulnerable to stronger reactions.<br> – Emotional<br> – Physical<br> – Social<br> – Environmental</p> <p>Activities cont…<br> – Three Minute Thoughts<br> – Take three minutes and write down (or record) all of the thoughts you have<br> – Review what you wrote down<br></p>
