I can’t stop my thoughts. Is mindfulness training suitable for me?

We are all familiar with the tendency of the mind to be constantly occupied. The endless stream of thoughts, plans, worries, daydreams. We often live predominantly in our heads, being “ruled” by the thinking mind. Mindfulness training is a practice in which we train our attention and awareness. Your mind doesn’t have to be empty or still for this. Mindfulness offers an opportunity to develop a different relationship with your mind, to cultivate awareness and become increasingly conscious of the presence of thinking, of the presence of thoughts. To observe them without being constantly caught up in them. By redirecting your attention more frequently, you learn to create distance from the whirlwind of thoughts in your head. You can improve your concentration and relax more easily. The mind becomes calmer.

What does a mindfulness training session look like?

Mindfulness training is a practical training for developing mindfulness skills. You learn by doing, by practicing. Each session lasts 1.5 hours and focuses on a specific theme. Components of each session include:
– Guided mindfulness exercises
– Theoretical aspects addressed in a practical manner
– Opportunities for discussing experiences.

By carefully observing your experiences and better understanding them, your awareness increases, leading to potential insights.

I’m often too restless to sit still. Is mindfulness training still suitable for me?

Mindfulness training is a practice where we train our attention and awareness. It doesn’t necessarily require sitting still. We direct our attention to the experience in this present moment, from moment to moment. An experience is neither good nor bad. You may experience restlessness and impatience, notice a pleasant thought, or feel uncomfortable or comfortable. It could also be neutral. The key is to stay with whatever arises, with a friendly and non-judgmental attitude. We observe what presents itself. This content of experience changes constantly and we just observe the flow of the changes of that content. Mindfulness is particularly helpful when you feel restless or busy, as it allows you to reconnect with yourself and learn to find inner calm.

Is reimbursement for mindfulness training possible?

There are health insurers that reimburse mindfulness training. You can access an overview page via this link, which provides information about the reimbursement of mindfulness training by various health insurers. The website is in Dutch, however can be translated with the translation option of Google. This overview page is updated annually to keep the reimbursement details up-to-date. Please note that this list may not be entirely complete. It is recommended to inquire with your own health insurance provider. Additionally, an increasing number of employers are offering reimbursement for mindfulness training.

Is there scientific evidence for the effects of mindfulness training?

The effects of mindfulness have been extensively studied over the past 35 years. Hundreds of studies have been published on the effects of mindfulness interventions, including mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) and mindfulness-based cognitive therapy (MBCT).

Research demonstrates that mindfulness is effective both in the general population and in therapeutic settings. Mindfulness promotes a higher quality of life and brings about positive changes in cognitive and neurobiological functioning. Moreover, mindfulness transforms how individuals perceive themselves and the world, leading to transformative responses. This broad efficacy makes mindfulness valuable for many individuals.