Woman meditates with coffee break in the park

Mindfulness: The 3 Skills You Need To Do It Right

The term “mindfulness” has received a great deal of attention in recent years. Many people compare it to meditation, while others explain it as a way of thinking. In simple terms, mindfulness really means being present in the moment, without judgment. It isn’t about stopping your thoughts (because realistically, is that even possible?) or being silent for extended periods of time. It’s about accepting the present moment as it is and paying attention to what is happening exactly at that time.

Mindfulness is a core principle of Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT), a treatment originally designed for borderline personality disorder, but which has been applied to many forms of pathology as a way to assist in emotion regulation.

There are three main skills discussed within DBT as related to mindfulness:  1) Observe, 2) Describe, and 3) Participate—as a way to “enter the experience.

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