Myths About Mindfulness
Written By: Cheryl Vigder Brause of Pause to be Present
If you can breathe, you can meditate.
I have been teaching mindfulness meditation for over a decade. Although I have seen first-hand the incredible benefits this practice can offer. So many people come to me and say that they cannot meditate. The most popular reasons I hear are: (1) my mind is too busy; (2) I don’t have the time; (3) I don’t know how to start; and (4) it doesn’t work for me. When I started meditating twenty years ago, I was that person. I thought meditation simply was not for me. But as I began to practice and realize the incredible benefits in myself and my life, I was hooked and decided to share the gift of meditation and mindfulness with anyone willing to try it. After teaching thousands of people how to meditate for so many years to all kinds of people, I now know if you can breathe, you can meditate. Anyone can do it. The benefits of this practice are endless, including boosting mental and physical health and wellbeing.
I want to dispel a few of the most common myths about mindfulness below in the hopes that you, too, will give it a try!
1. My mind is too busy to meditate
I was that person. My mind was constantly on overdrive. Sitting quietly with myself would be the last place I would find peace. But people with very busy minds are the best candidates for these practices. The truth is we are not stopping our minds from thinking (good luck with that). We are creating a new relationship to our thoughts. Our minds can continue to “blah blah blah,” but mindfulness practice teaches us how to let all those thoughts simply come and go. We no longer have to believe them or get carried away by their contents. When we learn how to do this, all those harmful thoughts lose their power over us. It’s truly a superpower to realize that thoughts are just thoughts, and we don’t have to believe them.
2. I don’t have time
There is no requirement for the amount of time needed to feel the benefits of these practices. You don’t have to drastically change your life to incorporate these healthy practices into your day. Even short daily meditation and mindfulness practices can significantly improve overall health and wellbeing, including stress reduction, lower anxiety and depression, improved focus, and better sleep. You don’t have to sit in a lotus style alone in a room to practice. You can make any daily activity your meditation, like drinking your morning coffee, brushing your teeth, or taking a walk if you can do those activities with your full attention.
3. It just doesn’t work for me
Mindfulness and meditation practices, like all new habits, take time to work. You are often unwinding years of mental habits, reactivity, and conditioning. With proper guidance and practice, you train your mind to be more present and focused. You can also learn how to use your mind to relax your body and invite calm into your day. Just learning a few short mindful breathing practices, for example, can down-regulate the nervous system, relax the body, focus the mind, and set you up for more ease throughout your day. It takes time and practice, but anyone can do it, and the benefits are worth the effort!
4. If I meditate, all my problems will go away
Meditation and mindfulness practices will not take away all of your problems. I wish I could offer you that. However, the magic of these practices is that they help you navigate life’s inevitable challenges with greater ease, less reactivity, and more wisdom to make healthy choices that feel right for you.Mindfulness helps us get comfortable with discomfort, which is simply a part of life. And what a gift to be able to move through life’s ups and downs with less overwhelm and greater balance.
5. It will make me passive and unproductive.
Quite the contrary. Research shows that mindfulness can boost performance and productivity by improving focus, reducing stress, and promoting better decision-making. It also helps you be more present and awake for your life as it is happening, without getting stuck in all those stories in your head about what is happening or what might happen. It is a kind of brain training that strengthens the parts of your brain related to executive function, emotional regulation, learning, memory, and concentration.
6. Mindfulness is just a fad and the latest trend in wellness.
Mindfulness practices have been around for over 3,000 years because they work. Mindfulness burst onto the scene in the West in the 1970s when the scientific community began studying the benefits of these practices on our bodies, minds, and overall health. Through advances in neuroscience, we now see that these ancient practices can change the function and structure of our brains in very healthy ways. Mindfulness is now integrated into many modern types of therapy, like CBT and DBT, and continues to be used to help people boost their health and wellbeing.
*This blog is a special partner contribution written by Cheryl Vigder Brause, founder of Pause to be Present. At Pause to be Present, Cheryl and her team help individuals thrive and find calm in today’s fast-paced world through a grounded, accessible approach to mindfulness and meditation. Their work blends ancient wisdom with modern psychology to support greater wellbeing, joy, and fulfillment. With offerings that include live classes, online sessions, private groups, and retreats, they’ve guided thousands on their mindfulness journeys. To learn more, visit www.pausetobepresent.com or contact them at info@pausetobepresent.com.
Thank you Cheryl for writing this blog and being a wonderful partner to our team and clients at IMPACT Psychological Services!
At IMPACT, we are committed to supporting your mental health and well-being. Our experienced team of professionals are here to help you navigate life's challenges and achieve your goals. If you found this blog helpful and are interested in learning more about how we can assist you on your journey, please don't hesitate to reach out. Take the first step towards a healthier, happier you. Contact us today to schedule a consultation.
