“ Creating a therapeutic environment that supports autonomy needs is an especially important task for the therapist” (Dwyer, Hornsey, Smith, Oei, & Dingle, 2011).Īutonomy is especially true in mindfulness, where the needs of each individual must be captured and met by the group session.Ī no judgment rule must be set to ensure each person feels they are in a safe space to air concerns, hopes, or challenges they are facing. If the leader makes time for the group to discuss the challenges they face, each session can provide a valuable opportunity to share solutions. Having the support of a group and the opportunity to talk about the difficulties we face can help calm fears and doubts. We all doubt our abilities it’s part of being human, yet we crave feelings of competence (Ryan & Deci, 2018). Surprisingly, individuals even eat more when part of a group than when alone (Herman, 2017). Social facilitation theory suggests that people act better or deliver more when they are being watched or competing with others. Booking time and committing to others can mean we are more likely to turn up. Having others present during a mindfulness session can boost our resolve and provide a sense of ‘we are in this together,’ especially when we are prone to distraction. Like any activity, when performed as part of a group, we can motivate one another. Taking our three key psychological needs (Ryan & Deci, 2018) in turn, we look at how organized group meditation meets them and enhances our motivation. Indeed, organized group meditation provides an opportunity for those who might not practice alone to show up. We must experience a sense of belonging and own our decisions and actions while experiencing opportunities, support, skill development, and growth as an individual. To increase the likelihood that we persist, we must be intrinsically motivated – driven by internal rewards – and meet our basic psychological needs (Ryan & Deci, 2018).įor group mindfulness to sustain and maintain our commitment, we need to feel connected. Whether it’s going for a run, eating well, or practicing mindfulness, we sometimes need support. We all need motivation, even when we know something is good for us. Groups are now available in meetups, workplaces, healthcare providers, and gyms. Indeed, over the last two decades, the popularity of mindfulness has soared, as have the opportunities to connect with others on a similar journey. While mindfulness can be learned through books, apps, audio, and videos, there are times when practicing within a group setting provides better results. We have evolved to connect and share our thoughts and beliefs with other like-minded individuals.Īnd we don’t need to be on our own to be mindful. Mindfulness Activities for DBT Group Sessions.These science-based comprehensive exercises will help you cultivate a sense of inner peace throughout your daily life and also give you tools to enhance the mindfulness of your groups. This article discusses the benefits of performing mindfulness with others and describes activities that work well in a group setting.īefore you continue, you might like to download our three Mindfulness Exercises for free. Group mindfulness offers fellowship, support, and learnings that may be absent when practicing alone. The answer comes from one of our most basic human needs: seek companionship. That’s what you get – most of the time – when you are mindful.Īnd yet, practicing mindfulness can feel solitary or perhaps even lonely. Imagine your life based on choices made from the heart that line up with your core values. This simple statement captures the ability of mindfulness to help us take a breath and make more considered decisions that improve our lives. “Mindfulness helps us see clearly so we can make wise choices and respond to life effectively.” One of the best definitions comes from Dr. When someone is described as being mindful, it typically means they pay attention to what is happening to the mind, body, and surroundings, and they remain present while both curious and compassionate.
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