Wooden blocks rest in front of winter decor with the letters “happy holidays”. Contact a Christian therapist in Tigard, OR for support from your home. Learn more about online counseling in Oregon and other services today.

With the holidays upon us, we can often feel overwhelmed and stressed from managing the various commitments to navigating family dynamics at Thanksgiving dinner. But there’s also a plethora of joyous, fun-filled moments waiting for us to revel in! With this in mind it seems like an appropriate time to chat about what it means to be present and mindful. 

“Mindfulness” and “being present” are a couple of buzzwords in the mental health world. We all have some preconceived ideas of what they are or how it should look. I know before I was educated on the principles of mindfulness, I pictured myself sitting on a rock with my legs crossed over one another, overlooking the vast ocean, attempting to train my brain to be “empty” of thoughts. While this isn’t inaccurate, it’s not the whole picture either. 

Mindfulness is the Pathway to Presence

Being present is what happens when you are mindful. And being mindful is the intentional practice of bringing awareness into the current moment. It’s exploring the here and now in a posture of non-judgment. In other words, you acknowledge what is happening in and around you with curiosity, not evaluation. It doesn’t mean you don’t have any thoughts or feelings, or that you aren’t doing anything, it simply means that you are aware of them as they are happening in real-time. 

A woman sits on the floor while looking around her room. This could represent mindfulness techniques cultivated by working with a Christian therapist in Tigard, OR. Learn more about therapy in Tigard, OR and the benefits online counseling in Oregon can offer today.

Being in the present enhances our lives by decreasing symptoms of anxiety and depression. Anxiety is future-oriented. Depression is past-oriented. When our bodies are in the current moment but our brains are in the past or future, we are robbing ourselves of the opportunity to experience what the present moment has to offer. When we approach the present moment with curiosity and attentiveness we are opened up to new possibilities, the need to strive diminishes, and the pressure of expectations decreases. 

Being present doesn’t mean you have nothing scheduled on your calendar. You can have a packed schedule and still maintain a posture of presence because there’s nothing for you to do but to simply be in the moment. Over time this becomes more natural and a part of your rhythm in life. But for many, this is a new way to engage with life and like anything new, it takes some practice and experimenting. Keep in mind that the suggestions are not meant to be used as a check box on a to-do list, but rather a guideline to help navigate the unfamiliarity of trying something new! 

Use Your Senses

Our senses are an incredible tool for keeping us present! You might start out simply by listing a couple of things you see, touch, hear, smell or taste. Notice the joyous screech your child makes as they open their presents. Notice the sound of the coffee maker brewing on a cold morning. Or, notice the warmth radiating from your spouse under the bedsheets.

Want to take it a step further? Get descriptive! What does the pumpkin pie look like? How do the texture of whipped cream and soft filling feel in your mouth? 

A woman in a seat pours tea while smiling. This could symbolize the mindfulness cultivated through therapy in Tigard, OR. Learn more about grief counseling in Tigard, OR and the support online counseling in Oregon can offer.

So, as you find yourself this holiday season attending your company’s holiday party followed by a rushed commute through traffic to your child’s winter concert, consider using your senses to ground you in the present.

Begin Working with A Christian Therapist in Tigard, OR

Staying present during the holiday hustle can feel impossible at times. Our team of caring therapists would be honored to support you in making the most of this holiday season. We are happy to offer in-person and online support from our Tigard, OR-based practice. You can start your therapy journey by following these simple steps:

  1. Contact us to speak with a mental health professional at Discover Counseling
  2. Schedule your first counseling appointment with a caring therapist
  3. Get support as you stop running away and start moving forward.

Other Services Offered At Discover Counseling

Our caring counselors and therapists offer different types of therapy services to support your needs. Such as therapy for anxiety, trauma recovery, life transitions, and postpartum support. As well as teen therapy, Christian counseling, and codependency treatment. We also offer support for your relationship with premarital, couples, and marriage counseling, and individual therapy for relationship problems. Feel free to learn more about our practice by visiting our blog or FAQ today.