Mindfulness is one of the most common interventions used in reducing psychological distress and managing chronic health conditions. Other benefits of mindfulness include improved moods and increased self-control.
The ability to focus on the present moment and accept current physical sensations without judgments are important mindfulness components. Being mindful of feelings, thoughts, or reactions helps minimise rumination and catastrophising. Mindfulness is effective for some, but people with physical impairment struggle to enjoy its effects due to limitations.
Barriers to mindfulness in conditions with physical impairment
- Physical limitations or risks in executing other standardised mindfulness interventions, such as mindful walking or supine meditation
- Limited or lack of a formalised language of some core mindfulness techniques, e.g., practicing body scan focused on the feet when there are no sensations in those areas, adding more stress and frustrations
- Non-wheelchair friendly environments for face-to-face meditation classes
- Stigmatising attitude towards people with physical limitations, causing them to engage in protective behaviour like selective disclosure
- Emotional barriers, such as difficulty processing trauma or issues of self-worth or self-identity
- Pressure to adhere to the course requirement or establish immediate mastery and progress
Practicing mindfulness when there is a physical impairment
Any form of change can create feelings of loss. For people with physical limitations, it is the loss of the future, sensations, or identity, and mindfulness can help reduce the cognitive and emotional impacts of the impairment.
Be comfortable with change
Adjusting to the new identity can be challenging. Individuals constantly ruminate about their past lives, then worry about how to live in the future. This internal conflict creates tension, causing denial, anger, or frustrations. Mindfulness can help bridge the gap between the past and future by focusing on staying in the present and appreciating what they currently possess.
Befriend the body
Reconnecting the body, mind, and emotions after acquiring a physical impairment can be difficult. Mindfulness provides an opportunity for the body, mind, and emotions to reconnect by befriending the body’s limitations. Befriending the body implies that the body is still embraced, accepted, and valued, reducing maladaptive cognitive or emotional reactivity.
Visualise the loss
Body scans help increase awareness of the physical sensations to stay grounded, but it can be risky for people with sensory loss due to possible reactivation of emotional distress. However, including the sensory absence in the process by sending awareness to the body through visualisations can combat this limitation.
Make a choice
Making an active decision to move forward after acquiring a physical impairment is a form of taking responsibility and control over their lives. Recognising the desire to return to the past is important, but accepting that it may not be possible can mitigate its negative impacts. Mindfulness plays a role in redefining the relationship between the physical and psychological effects of the experience. Choosing to surpass blame, grief, or anger and embracing loss implies that they are taking control of their situation—either they decide to be in pain and suffer, or still be in pain but living a good life.
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