Mindfulness… Living in the Mindfulness… Living in the MomentMoment

Nora Cristall MSW RSWNora Cristall MSW RSW

Gloria Dixon MSW RSWGloria Dixon MSW RSW

Alzheimer Society Manitoba Conference Alzheimer Society Manitoba Conference 20072007

MindfulnessMindfulness

• Choosing the object of attention.Choosing the object of attention.

AssumptionsAssumptions

• Stress is a part of life. It is often the Stress is a part of life. It is often the source of pain.source of pain.

• Through awareness we have greater Through awareness we have greater impact on outcomes.impact on outcomes.

• The greater our ability to control the The greater our ability to control the impact the greater our chances of impact the greater our chances of liberating ourselves from the impact.liberating ourselves from the impact.

• Often our mind and body, and the Often our mind and body, and the connection, is the only tool we have.connection, is the only tool we have.

Mindfulness and Health Mindfulness and Health

• Behavior therapy and cognitive Behavior therapy and cognitive therapy, involve changing the therapy, involve changing the cognitive processes a the mind to cognitive processes a the mind to impact physical changes. impact physical changes.

ObstaclesObstacles

• Liking and Liking and disliking.disliking.

• ‘‘Love is blind’.Love is blind’.

• Stereotypes.Stereotypes.

MindlessnessMindlessness

• Acting from only one point of view.Acting from only one point of view.

• Ego, being right, gets in the way.Ego, being right, gets in the way.

• Automatic behavior.Automatic behavior.

• Feeling hopeless / There is no other Feeling hopeless / There is no other way.way.

• Maintaining status quo.Maintaining status quo.

Becoming Mindful- STOP Becoming Mindful- STOP

• SS top. top.

• TT ake a moment. ake a moment.

• OO bserve body bserve body sensations, sensations, thoughts and thoughts and emotions.emotions.

• PP roceed. Listen roceed. Listen deeply. Take the deeply. Take the next step.next step.

““We are not our feelings….”We are not our feelings….”

• What I express What I express may not be what I may not be what I am really feeling?am really feeling?

• Feelings have Feelings have access to access to inadequate inadequate language language sometimes.sometimes.

• It is protective of It is protective of our “selves” to our “selves” to hide what we may hide what we may really feel behind really feel behind another emotion or another emotion or expression.expression.

Reflection: Thinking on Reflection: Thinking on PurposePurpose

• Reflective thinking Reflective thinking is not idle or is not idle or aimless.aimless.

• Who do you see in Who do you see in the mirror?the mirror?

• What do you think What do you think others see?others see?

• What do you want What do you want to see?to see?

Reflection ExerciseReflection Exercise

• Write down the moment that you are Write down the moment that you are thinking of.thinking of.

• What was said, what was happening, who What was said, what was happening, who was involved, how did you feel, how did was involved, how did you feel, how did you think the others felt?you think the others felt?

• What was the need that was being What was the need that was being expressed?expressed?

• How did or could you acknowledge the How did or could you acknowledge the unspoken….how to meet the need and unspoken….how to meet the need and capture the moment….?capture the moment….?

Principles for Hearing Principles for Hearing Emotional Content: Emotional Content: (Suchman et al, 1997)(Suchman et al, 1997)• Recognize the cues that people give Recognize the cues that people give

about the hidden emotion.about the hidden emotion.• Ask them to expand on their feelings.Ask them to expand on their feelings.• Acknowledge their feelings so that Acknowledge their feelings so that

they know they have been heard.they know they have been heard.• When we listen, we will learn what When we listen, we will learn what

the need, problem or illness means the need, problem or illness means to the client and their family.to the client and their family.

When humor is a screen….. When humor is a screen….. (Sparks, Travis & Thompson, (Sparks, Travis & Thompson, 2005)2005)• Help caregivers feel comfortable in Help caregivers feel comfortable in

the situation and with you.the situation and with you.

• Recognize that humor may be a way Recognize that humor may be a way to communicate some other piece of to communicate some other piece of information.information.

• Try to understand the message in the Try to understand the message in the context of what they are saying to context of what they are saying to you.you.

When humor is a screen:When humor is a screen:

• Remember the topic being discussed when Remember the topic being discussed when the conversation turns to humor.the conversation turns to humor.

• When you hear the humor, ask for When you hear the humor, ask for additional information. Be aware that the additional information. Be aware that the story may be important to the teller for story may be important to the teller for reasons that you may not fully understand.reasons that you may not fully understand.

• The teller may not be aware of the humor The teller may not be aware of the humor being used. Watch for verbal / non-verbal being used. Watch for verbal / non-verbal cues of distress or discomfort.cues of distress or discomfort.

• Ask gentle questions that give the teller a Ask gentle questions that give the teller a chance to provide the unstated feelings chance to provide the unstated feelings and facts behind the humor.and facts behind the humor.

• Laugh or smile with the teller when it is Laugh or smile with the teller when it is appropriate.appropriate.

• Be careful not to lose the opportunity for Be careful not to lose the opportunity for “a moment” by getting drawn into a social “a moment” by getting drawn into a social exchange of funny stories.exchange of funny stories.

• Remember the humor may be a tool for Remember the humor may be a tool for the teller.the teller.

Capturing the Moment: Capturing the Moment:

•What are the What are the ways that you ways that you like to capture like to capture a moment with a moment with residents and residents and their families?their families?