2023 Mar Articles

Being more mindful can make you feel more present, aware and connected to your own thoughts, emotions and experiences.

Mindfulness can guide you to pay attention to the important moments and to appreciate the small details in life. It can also bring about more clarity and perspective, better decisions, more creativity and stronger relationships with others.

Some practical ways to experience greater mindfulness:

1. Practice meditation: Regular meditation initiates greater mindfulness by helping you to clear your mind, become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, and focus on the present moment.
2. Take a mindful walk: Taking a mindful walk can be a great way to become more aware of your surroundings and the present moment. If you have an opportunity, try to walk in nature. Focus on the sights and sounds around you and keep your awareness of your body and each step you take.
3. Eat mindfully: Eating mindfully involves paying close attention to every bite of food you take, noticing the taste and texture. This practice helps you to be more mindful of your body and its needs.
4. Practice yoga or stretching: This allows you to focus on your breath and body, connecting your mind to the present moment. It also helps to relax your body and mind.
5. Use mindful self-talk: Mindful self-talk involves speaking to yourself in a kind and compassionate way. It makes you become aware of your thoughts and feelings and promotes self-love and acceptance.
6. Journal: Journaling is a great way to process your thoughts and feelings and become more aware of your inner world, promoting inner growth.

In short, mindfulness will bring upon improved self-awareness and lead a more meaningful and fulfilled life – and who doesn’t want that?

Connect with a LifeAssist counsellor and chat about ways to get more out of life. You deserve it.

Gaslighting is a form of emotional and psychological abuse and manipulation: False information is presented to the victim to make them doubt their own memory, perception, or judgement.

It is used by an abuser to gain power and control over the victim. It often happens in relationships where one person has power over the other, or when the abuser has a personality disorder or is trying to avoid accountability for their actions.

Some of the indicators are:

• Blaming: Gaslighters often blame their victims for things that they are not responsible for, such as saying that the victim is “too sensitive” or “overreacting”.
• Denial: They will often deny that an event or conversation ever took place. They may even deny the victim’s feelings or emotions.
• Isolation: They may try to isolate their victims by limiting their access to friends, family, or other support systems.
• Minimising: They usually try to minimise a victim’s feelings or experiences by saying that their feelings are wrong or invalid.
• Manipulating: They often manipulate their victims by lying, withholding information, or twisting facts.
• Deflecting: Gaslighters may deflect responsibility by shifting the blame onto their victims or someone else.

Some things that could be done when dealing with a gaslighter

1. Try to recognize and name the behaviour. When you start to recognize the signs of gaslighting, it’s important to name them. This can help you to maintain control over the situation and to ensure that you don’t start to doubt your own reality.
2. Trust your instincts. If something doesn’t feel right or you are starting to feel confused or manipulated, this is a sign that you may be dealing with gaslighting. You should trust your own instincts and not second-guess yourself.
3. Don’t engage in debates. Gaslighters will often try to get you to engage in debates or arguments to prove your point. Don’t do this, as it will only feed the gaslighting cycle.
4. Take care of yourself. Gaslighting can be emotionally draining, so it’s important to take care of yourself and make sure that you are getting enough rest, exercise, and nutrition to stay strong.
5. Seek support. It’s also important to reach out to family, friends, or a mental health professional for support. This can help you to stay grounded and to feel less alone.

Gaslighting can have a damaging effect on the victim’s mental health and is a form of abuse.

If you would like to know more about gaslighting, or need counselling, please speak to a counsellor at LifeAssist for confidential support.