Mindful Self-Awareness: A Key to Well-being and Resilience

In this blog post, I want to encourage you to regularly engage in a friendly, clear dialogue with yourself to check in on how you’re feeling. Why? If we don’t notice that we’re tired, we work too long. If we don’t realize that our thoughts are consumed by stress, we believe it. If we don’t acknowledge that we’re feeling sad, we become short of breath and struggle to sleep.

Feelings always arise within us – hey, that’s good news! We can influence how mindfully we treat ourselves. The rule of "feel – listen – recognize – act" can serve as a good guide.

For example, I notice that my heart is racing and my breath is quickening (awareness). I pause and explore, sensing a pressure in my chest (feeling). Then, I realize that I’m feeling anxious (sensation). I recognize that my heart is racing because of an upcoming conversation (listen, recognize). I become aware that this conversation is making me anxious (awareness).

Now I can consider ways to influence the conditions of the conversation (act) to feel more at ease. Maybe I can rehearse the conversation, make notes, encourage myself, remember past successful conversations, break the thought cycle with conscious breathing exercises, go for a walk, etc.

Mindful self-awareness leads to self-care and self-compassion, helping me experience myself as effective, which has a very positive impact on my mental health.

How about trying a breathing exercise and observation task?

Here, you can find my freebies.

Our self-awareness improves with the frequency of mindful actions, so it’s best to integrate them regularly into your daily routine. It can be simple: conscious walking, a mindful breathing pause, slowing down – yes, taking a break and slowing down are important, and in today’s fast-paced world, it’s often a radical act of self-care. And of course, you can seek support from a complementary therapist like me to reconnect with yourself. You’ll have a professional by your side who reflects with you, inspires you, and encourages you.

In sessions, your personal goals and enhancing self-awareness through attention to your body sensations, thoughts, emotions, and behavior will be the focus. The totality of our awareness shapes our well-being and quality of life.

Whether or not you choose therapy, understanding your body better and interpreting its signals correctly is key to better health. This allows you to take action early and live with fewer consequences of exhaustion, pain, withdrawal, stress, anxiety, panic attacks, or tension.

Instead of negative physical and mental patterns, you will develop new ways to find more inner peace and strength. Over time, you might move, organize yourself, breathe, and express your needs in different ways, giving yourself daily breathing breaks. This will provide you with diverse impulses in your everyday life, as strengthening resources, enhancing self-esteem, and improving resilience can significantly improve your quality of life.

Feel free to share your thoughts and experiences!

Regards,
Silke

About the author

Silke Ruhnau is a complementary therapist with a certification in breath therapy from the OdA KT industry association. She completed her training at the Institute for Body-Centered Psychotherapy in Zurich and works in her private practice in Winterthur, recognized by EMR and health insurance. The heart of her work involves holistic support for women with psychological and psychosomatic issues, as well as supporting fertility, pregnancy, strengthening birth trust, integrating birth experiences, and all topics related to womanhood and motherhood. Silke also leads regular group events for women.