Johanna Bond

December’s Mindfulness Exercise

~ JB ~ Leave a comment

Mindfulness is something that everyone can incorporate into daily life.  Mindfulness involves observing and accepting the things around and within us, without judgment.  In therapy, Johanna may involve mindfulness skills to build awareness of various issues and to develop coping strategies.  Johanna also runs a six-week mindfulness group.  If you are interested in the next group cycle for mindfulness, please call the office.  The exercise below is not individualized to your needs as it may be in therapy, but is rather intended as a general exercise that you may find useful.

December’s mindfulness exercise:

Pick an everyday object.  This may be a rock from the ground, a piece of jewelry, a chapstick, wallet, or keys.  Take a deep breath in and out.  First hold the object in your hand and turn your eyes away (or close your eyes).  Notice how much space the object takes up in your hand; if the temperature is warm or cool; and what the texture is of the object.  Next, look at the object and observe the colors, pattern, shape, texture, size, and the way the light hits the object.  Notice if it looks the way you expected after holding it in your hand.  Perhaps drop it from one hand to the other to notice the weight of the object.  Pay attention to any thoughts or feelings that may come up within you as you complete this exercise.

NOTE: This is not intended to replace therapy.  Please contact Johanna at (585)406-3012 if you are interested in individual or group therapy.

On Gratitude

~ JB ~ Leave a comment

Gratitude is not just for Thanksgiving day.  While you may have finished the leftover turkey and the last slice of pie, your practice of gratitude does not need to be over.

If you need some assistance in increasing your awareness of gratitude, try answering a few of these 50 Questions to Foster Gratitude.  I went through them and surprised myself with some of the things I came up with!  If you’re feeling really ambitious, maybe even tell a few people what you’re grateful for, or thank them for something they’ve done for you.

I’m that person who likes to have everyone share what they’re grateful for at the Thanksgiving table.  Does this always happen?  No.  It can be hard to name and share with others your appreciation.  But gratitude does not always have to be big, perfect, or life-changing.  The other day I was grateful for a working hairdryer on a cold and rainy day.  Yesterday I found appreciation in a really great song on the radio that fit my mood.

So, what are you grateful for today?

Perspectives Monthly Journal Exercise – November

~ JB ~ Leave a comment

Journaling can be a therapeutic exercise.  In therapy, Johanna may encourage you to journal or keep a diary in a specific way, to raise awareness of specific activities, thoughts, or feelings.  This monthly journal exercise is in no way individually prescribed, but meant to offer food for thought that may be useful for anyone.

November’s monthly journal exercise:

The holidays are coming.  What do the holidays mean for you?  Take five minutes to free-write without stopping (unless your hand hurts, or you find yourself in emotionally distress, in which case you should engage in another form of self-care).  If the holidays are a difficult time of year for you, use this time to write down the things that will help you to get through them.  This is not meant to be a polished piece of writing but rather an exploration of your thoughts on the holidays and your own coping skills.

Wellness Through the Holidays Workshop

~ JB ~ Leave a comment

Please note: Tomorrow’s Wellness Through the Holidays workshop has been cancelled.  If you are interested in attending a workshop, please sign up for December’s Wellness Through the Holidays workshop on December 10th (Thursday) from 5:30-7:00pm.  Cost is $20.  Sign up by emailing Johanna at jbondperspectives@gmail.com, or by calling (585)406-3012.

The holidays can be a stressful time.  Make sure you are taking care of yourself!

November’s Mindfulness Exercise

~ JB ~ Leave a comment

Mindfulness is something that everyone can incorporate into daily life.  Mindfulness involves observing and accepting the things around and within us, without judgment.  In therapy, Johanna may involve mindfulness skills to build awareness of various issues and to develop coping strategies.  Johanna also runs a six-week mindfulness group.  If you are interested in the next group cycle for mindfulness, please call the office.  The exercise below is not individualized to your needs as it may be in therapy, but is rather intended as a general exercise that you may find useful.

 

November’s mindfulness exercise:

At your next meal, start by taking one mindful bite.  Pick up the bite of food and first observe it visually.  What does the texture look like?  What colors do you see?  What is the overall shape?  Notice how it looks.  Next, smell the bite of food.  What flavors do you notice when you inhale?  As you bring it close to your nose, notice if it seems hot, cold or neutral.  Next, consider how this food came to be on your plate.  Did it start off as a plant or an animal?  Who cooked it?  What went into the preparation?  Finally, place the bite of food in your mouth.  Notice the temperature and the flavors.  Pause a moment to notice this before you chew.  Notice the texture as well, and how chewy it is.  Finally, after you finish eating this bite of food, take a moment to notice the residual taste of the bite and consider this bite of food traveling to your stomach.

NOTE: This is not intended to replace therapy.  Please contact Johanna at (585)406-3012 if you are interested in individual or group therapy.

Perspectives Monthly Journal Exercise – October

~ JB ~ Leave a comment

Journaling can be a therapeutic exercise.  In therapy, Johanna may encourage you to journal or keep a diary in a specific way, to raise awareness of specific activities, thoughts, or feelings.  This monthly journal exercise is in no way individually prescribed, but meant to offer food for thought that may be useful for anyone.

October’s monthly journal exercise:

Wherever you are, try to write down 2-3 descriptions for each of the five senses (sight, smell, taste, touch, hear).  Now turn your attention internally, and write down 2-3 descriptions for your thoughts, your emotions, and how you are feeling physically.  Try to do this without judging your observations as good or bad.  You may use this writing exercise for mindfulness work as well, since mindfulness is rooted in observation and awareness.  This is not meant to be a polished piece of writing but rather an exploration of yourself in the current moment and your current surroundings.

Upcoming workshops: Wellness Through the Holidays

~ JB ~ Leave a comment
Wellness Through the Holidays: A workshop on self-care
 
Join Johanna Bond, LMHC, NCC, for a workshop on managing stress and improving personal wellness during the holiday season.  Johanna will cover topics such as improving sleep, addressing emotional stress and negative thinking, and turning off the “to do” list in order to be present for the holidays.
Take an hour and a half to learn these strategies and give yourself the gift of self-care!
Dates and times:
Thursday, November 12th from 5:30-7:00pm
OR
Thursday, December 10th from 5:30-7:00pm*
Cost: $20
Location: 721 Ridge Road, Webster NY 14580
To sign up: stop by or call (585)406-3012
*NOTE: Space is limited for each workshop.  Please inquire for further details.

 

October’s Mindfulness Exercise

~ JB ~ Leave a comment

Mindfulness is something that everyone can incorporate into daily life.  Mindfulness involves observing and accepting the things around and within us, without judgment.  In therapy, Johanna may involve mindfulness skills to build awareness of various issues and to develop coping strategies.  If you are interested in group or individual therapy for mindfulness, please call the office.  The exercise below is not individualized to your needs as it may be in therapy, but is rather intended as a general exercise that you may find useful.

 

October’s mindfulness exercise:

Set a timer for three minutes.  Start by taking three deep breaths and notice each inhale and exhale.  Do a mental scan of your body from head to toe.  Starting at the crown of your head, try to bring your awareness from the top of your scalp all the way down through the fingers and to the toes.  Notice where you might carry tension or pain, and where you might feel more relaxed.  If you still have time left before the timer goes off, choose one area to bring your awareness back to.  When your timer goes off, take a deep breath and stretch before returning to your day.

NOTE: This is not intended to replace therapy.  Please contact Johanna at (585)406-3012 if you are interested in individual or group therapy.