1. MEDITATE. Taking even just fi ve
minutes to sit quietly and follow your
breath can help you feel more conscious
and connected for the rest of your day.
2. FOCUS ON ONE THING AT A TIME.
This can be done anywhere, even while
you empty the dishwasher or go for a walk.
Pay attention to one detail in your
environment, or one activity.
3. SLOW DOWN. We tend to race through
our chores and day as if there is a fi nish
line. There is a fi nish line, but we don’t want
to race to it. Enjoy the journey through your
day.
4. EAT MINDFULLY. Savor your food, take
time to explore the textures, smells, and
appearance; allow yourself to wonder
about it. Enjoy each bite.
5. BE AWARE OF YOUR PHONE AND COMPUTER TIME. Screen time is an endless pathway
into more pathways. Set a timer and a specifi c time frame when using media. Do not allow
yourself to pass many hours consuming social media, as it will only leave you feeling more
anxious, lonely, isolated or depressed. Watch a cooking show, do an exercise class, enjoy a
history program, watch a comedy ... try not to watch news shows for hours at a time.
6. MOVE EVERY DAY FOR A MINIMUM OF 30 MINUTES. This is not an option, it is a
requirement. Start small with a gentle walk, stretch, dance or swim … any type of movement
counts! Your body will thank you.
7. SPEND TIME IN NATURE. In some way, take time each day to be outside and to look,
listen, smell and feel.
These ideas and concepts are not new, they are intuitive. Your body will remember them,
and enjoy them. Our minds get too busy trying to engage in solutions that are not open to us
yet, and this creates anxiety. Being mindful will help us to pass through grief and pain so that
we can experience peace.
Dr. Ann Taylor Roman,
Licensed Mental Health Counselor, Doctor of Education Counseling Psychology,
Masters of Art, Clinical Psychology
Providing individual, couples and family counseling. Adult and Adolescent
Groups for Emotion Regulation, Distress Tolerance, Interpersonal Eff ectiveness
and Mindfulness. Dialectical Behavior Th erapy (DBT) is the gold standard in
treatment for therapy resistant behaviors.
Dr. Ann Roman, and her husband, Dr. Curtis Schindeler, are co-owners of
Th e Center for Integrated Th erapies, 1217 S East Ave, Sarasota FL 34239 • srqtherapy.com
68 GASPARILLA MAGAZINE • September/October • 2020
/srqtherapy.com
