HOUSTON — Michelle Menon wasn't always a believer in mindfulness and meditation, but the special educator with autism reached a breaking point one year ago.
"I finally realized that I needed to confront and be able to push through my fears of the past with trauma that I had when I was a young child, and PTSD that I went through as an adult," Menon said.
Her psychologist, Dr. Andrea Taylor, suggested Menon get started with mindfulness, a technique that works for anyone of any age. Mindfulness is maintaining the moment-to-moment awareness of our thoughts. It can have a significant impact on both your mental and physical health, and it can start with something as simple as breathing.
Dr. Taylor said apps like Headspace and Calm teach techniques and remind people throughout the day to bring themselves back to the present.
"Sometimes we're so caught up in trying to do this, trying to do that, that we actually lose the moment," Dr. Taylor said. "We don't make the memories because we're trying to get everything done."
That's something Menon has often struggled with, until now.
"Because I have practiced mindfulness, and the different breathing techniques, so many times, my brain muscle has started to kick in, without me knowing it," she said. "I've noticed, 'Wow, normally that would have taken 40 minutes to get over and today, it only took 10 minutes.'"
Menon said feeling less anxious and less stressed is priceless.
"I've been a lot calmer whenever I've gotten to work, which means entering my workplace, which is greeting the children, has been so much more fun."
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