5 Common Mindfulness Myths
Learn Some Common Myths About Mindfulness
Chances are you have probably heard the term “mindfulness” and maybe you have even done some mindfulness practice attempts.
When I talk with my clients about using mindfulness, they kind of fall into two categories, they are interested and have not tried it or attempted and had a “bad experience.” For those clients that have had a “bad experience,” we talk about the context of the situation and the practice attempts themselves.
More often than not these “bad experiences” are linked to some common misconceptions and myths about mindfulness.
Follow along with me while I share with you some of these misconceptions and how mindfulness can be beneficial to you.
I am a virtual anxiety therapist in Wilmington, NC, and provide therapy for anxious high achieving women in North Carolina and Maryland. I specialize in anxiety treatment and focus on topics of perfectionism, imposter syndrome, and burnout.
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Keep reading about how to learn more about mindfulness.
5 Common Myths about Mindfulness and the Realities of a Mindfulness Practice
There are so many great things about mindfulness but often the word “mindfulness” alone creates an instant block for some clients. I find it important to talk with my clients about what they already know about mindfulness or what they think they know about mindfulness. Listed below are the top 5 myths about mindfulness I talk to my clients about:
#1 Mindfulness Myth: Mindfulness is meditation
Mindfulness and meditation are different but mindfulness is important to meditation.
Did you follow me there?
Most often when I talk with my clients about mindfulness, what they are imagining is meditation and for acceptance and commitment therapy purposes, that is not our goal.
#2 Mindfulness Myth: You are supposed to feel relaxed
This is a big one! I work primarily with clients that are challenged with stress, anxiety, and perfectionism. Naturally, my clients want to feel calmer or feel more relaxed.
The purpose of mindfulness is not to evoke these feelings, although these feelings can happen when you practice, the purpose is to help you bring your attention to the present moment with acceptance and without judgment.
#3 Mindfulness Myth: You need total silence to practice mindfulness
Nope. You do not need total silence when practicing mindfulness. As you are developing your mindfulness practice you may benefit and need a quieter space but it isn’t necessarily required.
When I practice mindfulness with my clients in my office there are all types of sounds going on.
#4 Mindfulness Myth: Mindfulness makes your thoughts and feelings go away
Mindfulness is not about your mind going blank and not experiencing thoughts or being void of any feelings. Mindfulness is about tuning in and recognizing what you are experiencing internally.
Most often when a client starts anxiety therapy they want to stop feeling anxiety or get rid of certain thoughts. So avoidance becomes the preferred method of not thinking about or experiencing feelings.
#5 Mindfulness Myth: Mindfulness is a formal practice
False. You do not need to sit on a yoga mat on the floor, cross-legged, eyes shut, and in a particular pose to practice mindfulness.
One of the many reasons why I love mindfulness is that you can adapt it to almost any activity and you can do a quick mindfulness practice or make it longer.
There is a lot of flexibility when practicing mindfulness.
Begin Anxiety Treatment in Wilmington, NC at Calm Waters Counseling
Mindfulness can be challenging and confusing. There are also a lot of myths out there about what mindfulness is and isn’t.
The reality is mindfulness can be beneficial to your mental and physical health.
At Calm Waters Counseling, I use Acceptance and Commitment Therapy for anxiety treatment. Mindfulness is a foundation of acceptance and commitment therapy.
Learn more about acceptance and commitment therapy and how it can be helpful for you.
Get started in therapy at Calm Waters Counseling by following these 4 simple steps:
Click the button below to schedule your free 15-minute consultation
Complete the brief questionnaire sent to your email before the consultation
Meet with your anxiety therapist
Start living your life being more present.
Therapy for High Achievers in Wilmington, NC at Calm Waters Counseling
Mindfulness can be so beneficial for that anxious go-getter and high-achiever.
Learn more about me, my Wilmington, NC online counseling practice, and how I use mindfulness in anxiety treatment.
I enjoy working with anxious go-getter women that need a space just for them to slow down and reconnect with what is important to them.
Check out all services at Calm Waters Counseling, listed below:
Anxiety treatment in Wilmington, NC
Treatment for Perfectionism in Maryland
Burnout Counseling in Wilmington, NC
Therapy for Imposter Syndrome in Wilmington, NC
Online Therapy for Anxiety in North Carolina
Using mindfulness in online therapy can be so beneficial.
As an anxiety therapist, I can lead my online clients through several different types of mindfulness practices.
Online therapy provides a lot of flexibility and online therapy is beneficial for anxiety treatment.
Acceptance and commitment therapy can be used in online therapy and is similar to being in a face-to-face therapy appointment.
Click the links below to learn about online therapy where you live.
online therapy for anxiety in North Carolina
online anxiety therapy in Maryland
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Written by: Laura Rippeon, LCSW, LCSW-C
Updated 3/17/23