Attention

Mindfulness: what is it really?

John Nolan
11th June 2025

Mindfulness is defined in various ways, including present-moment attention, awareness, and observing internal and external experiences without judgment. Key descriptions highlight focusing on thoughts as mental events, accepting difficult emotions without trying to eliminate them, and adopting attitudes like curiosity, openness, and compassion. These varied definitions are helpful because they allow the application of mindfulness to be tailored to specific challenges: focusing on body sensations for panic, thoughts for worry, acceptance for emotional struggle, and linking practice to values for motivation. The underlying goal across definitions is to change one’s relationship with internal experiences to live a fuller life, rather than simply reducing symptoms.

Overcoming Social Anxiety13th June 2025
Social anxiety is an intense fear of social situations and judgment, distinct from general anxiety or shyness, often leading to avoidance. It involves a hyperactive amygdala and contributions from the cortex, fuelled by cognitive biases, negative beliefs, and safety behaviours, often rooted in genetic predisposition and early experiences. Consequences include physical and emotional symptoms, social isolation, damage to relationships, and increased risk of other mental health issues. Social anxiety coaching helps by employing evidence-based techniques like exposure, cognitive restructuring, mindfulness, and goal setting to challenge avoidance, reframe thinking, build confidence, and support individuals in living a valued life despite anxiety.
Mindfulness: what is it really?11th June 2025
Mindfulness is defined in various ways, including present-moment attention, awareness, and observing internal and external experiences without judgment. Key descriptions highlight focusing on thoughts as mental events, accepting difficult emotions without trying to eliminate them, and adopting attitudes like curiosity, openness, and compassion. These varied definitions are helpful because they allow the application of mindfulness to be tailored to specific challenges: focusing on body sensations for panic, thoughts for worry, acceptance for emotional struggle, and linking practice to values for motivation. The underlying goal across definitions is to change one's relationship with internal experiences to live a fuller life, rather than simply reducing symptoms.
How to manage an anxiety attack10th June 2025
Managing intense anxiety and panic involves shifting from trying to control or eliminate the experience to accepting and allowing it. Key strategies include practicing acceptance, mindfulness, breathing and relaxation techniques, taking action aligned with your values despite anxiety, questioning unhelpful thoughts and beliefs, being compassionate towards yourself, and focusing attention outwards. Experiential exposure, or facing feared situations, is also a core component to teach the brain that these experiences are not dangerous. Ultimately, the goal is to change your relationship with anxiety and learn to function effectively even when it is present.
What is the ACT approach9th June 2025
Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), pronounced as “act” rather than spelling out the letters, is a contemporary “third wave” behaviour therapy. It is an empirically grounded process approach built upon the foundations of traditional behaviour therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). ACT is an evidence-based intervention… Read More »What is the ACT approach
Managing Anxiety: A Coaching Approach7th June 2025
Anxiety management coaching employs a range of techniques focused on empowering the client to manage their anxiety and move towards a life aligned with their values. Clients are taught self-directed skills like breathing, relaxation, mindfulness, reframing thoughts, identifying triggers, journaling, setting goals, and taking action. Coaches facilitate this process through guided questioning, educational explanations, using experiential exercises and metaphors, guiding exposure practices, and providing validation, support, and feedback. Specialized techniques like Havening, NLP, and HeartMath tools may also be integrated depending on the coach's training. The overall aim is to help clients change their relationship with anxiety, reduce avoidance, and build skills to navigate anxious experiences effectively, ultimately reclaiming control over their lives.