Help for Mindfulness & Stress Reduction in St Kilda, Melbourne
How Can Mindfulness Change my Brain?
MRI scans show that with just eight weeks of regular mindfulness meditation, the cortex becomes thicker and activity in the amygdala decreases, giving us better control over our thoughts, emotions, and how we function in the world.
Be inspired by your own capabilities. Learn more about your mind and how you can cultivate safety, regulation and calm within. We see clients every day gain better control of their distressing emotions, by challenging their negative thoughts, learning how to self-soothe, and become experts in their own wellbeing.
The irony is that when we take care of ourselves first, we are in a much stronger place to take care of those we love.”- Kate Hudson.
When we talk about mindfulness, we also talk about stress reduction and how to stay mentally well. And the foundations of mental health start with the basic building blocks – sleep, exercise, food and being connected. How do you fare in these categories? What might get in the way of you maintaining a healthy sleep and exercise routine?
Majority of us find it difficult to achieve a consistent balance and meet all of our obligations. Everyone deserves the time to reflect on their own self-care, and establish how they can meet their mental health needs. Clear psychological assessment can identify psychological barriers to self-care and nourishing our mind.
Dr. Siegel is a clinical professor of psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine and the founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center at UCLA. He has researched what he terms as the Healthy Mind Platter. He describes mental health as the ability to integrate all of these aspects of health.
Which ones do you need more of?
Focus Time When we closely focus on tasks in a goal-oriented way, we take on challenges that make deep connections in the brain.
Play Time When we allow ourselves to be spontaneous or creative, playfully enjoying novel experiences, we help make new connections in the brain.
Connecting Time When we connect with other people, ideally in person, and when we take time to appreciate our connection to the natural world around us, we activate and reinforce the brain’s relational circuitry.
Physical Time When we move our bodies, aerobically if medically possible, we strengthen the brain in many ways.
Time In When we quietly reflect internally, focusing on sensations, images, feelings and thoughts, we help to better integrate the brain.
Down Time When we are non-focused, without any specific goal, and let our mind wander or simply relax, we help the brain recharge.
Sleep Time When we give the brain the rest it needs, we consolidate learning and recover from the experiences of the day.
Below are a few our most frequently asked questions. Take a look and if you have any other questions please don’t hesitate to reach out to us.
A psychologist is trained with undergraduate and postgraduate studies of psychological science and assessment. Psychologists treat those that range from those who suffer serious mental illness to those needing support in understanding their relationships, thoughts, feelings and behaviours. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor with additional specialised training in mental health. They are able to prescribe medication and work well with GP’s and psychologists.
Have you ever been to a GP and thought you might be suited to another doctor? It is the same with a psychologist. It is important that in the first session you ask questions and learn about the therapist’s style in order to feel comfortable. You or someone you know may have had a disappointing experience with a psychologist in the past – do not let this be a barrier to reaching your goals, it just wasn’t the right fit. We care about placing you with the right person, with the right intervention and at the right time.
Absolutely not. Psychological therapy is available to every person on planet earth. We are all human and share similar hopes, fears and struggles. No one is immune to the complexity of life and seeking education about your mental health is something to be proud of. Each year we get better at communicating our mental wellbeing, and our communities are benefitting from the results.
As caring and empathetic your concerns may be for a loved one, it is up to them to make change happen. But your insight and access to our resources can be of great benefit. The Contemporary Psychology clinic has a wide variety of information to offer so you can direct them to this website, this way they can see what we’re on about, and they can send an email or give us a call. You are also encouraged to attend and discuss your own fears regarding a loved one if this has been getting you down.
Common themes in therapy – a psychologist’s reflection
Understanding and Managing Microstress: A Path to Greater Well-being
