Mindfulness skills are an important aspect of DBT, as they can help you gain a greater awareness and understanding of your inner experiences. Here is an explainer about the seven mindfulness skills in DBT:
- Wise Mind: Wise mind is a state of mind that combines both emotional and rational thinking. It is a balance between logic and intuition, and can help you make wise decisions.
- Observe: Observing involves paying attention to your surroundings, both internal and external. This skill can help you identify your thoughts, emotions, and physical sensations without judgment or reaction.
- Describe: Describing involves putting words to your observations, both internal and external. This skill can help you articulate your experiences, which can improve your self-awareness and communication.
- Participate: Participating involves being fully present and engaged in the present moment. This skill can help you engage with the world around you, rather than becoming lost in your thoughts or emotions.
- Non-judgmental: Non-judgmental involves letting go of judgments and biases towards yourself and others. This skill can help you cultivate self-compassion and acceptance, as well as empathy and understanding towards others.
- One Mindfully: One mindfully involves focusing on one task or activity at a time. This skill can help you increase your attention and concentration, and improve your effectiveness in completing tasks.
- Do What Works: Do what works involves using mindfulness skills to make effective decisions and solve problems. This skill can help you apply the other mindfulness skills in practical ways to improve your life.
