Occupational Therapy and Mindfulness
Occupational therapists (OTs) have a unique perspective on mindfulness that aligns with their holistic approach to health and well-being. Mindfulness, in the context of occupational therapy, is a valuable tool to enhance the overall quality of life and promote meaningful engagement in daily activities. Mindfulness can be practiced formally, as an occupation. This is like practicing meditation or breath-work. Mindfulness can also be used informally, as part of an activity, informally, to achieve flow. For example, being mindful when cooking, or mindfully taking a shower. In this way, mindfulness is embedded into the occupation itself.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a way of being present in each moment, noticing what you are experiencing—with compassion and without judgment. You can read more about the Benefits of Mindfulness here. Being mindful means that you can be fully present in each moment and engaged with whatever comes at you. This can allow you to savor moments and navigate challenges with greater clarity and compassion.
Jon Kabat-Zinn (2023) brought the term mindfulness to the west and defined it as the “awareness that arises by paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and being non-judgmental”. Essentially, mindfulness refers to having the ability to focus and maintain your attention on your present moment experiences as they are happening without wishing for things to be different in any way (Kabat-Zinn, 2023).
Occupational Therapists Have a Unique View
Occupational therapists have a unique view in relation to Mindfulness. The American Occupational Therapy Association supports and promotes the involvement of occupational therapy practitioners in the development and delivery of programs and services that promote health, well-being and social participation of all people (AOTA, 2020), which can include mindfulness.
Here are 7 ways that OTs have a unique view on mindfulness.
- OTs are Client-Centered: Client-centered occupational therapy is an approach to service which embraces a philosophy of respect for, and partnership with, people receiving services (Tickle-Degnen, 2002).
Occupational therapists focus on understanding the individual’s unique needs, goals, and daily challenges. Mindfulness practices are tailored to each client’s preferences and abilities, making them more accessible and relevant to their specific situation. Occupational therapists can use their knowledge and connection to the individual to tailor the mindfulness practices they use. Trying different mindfulness techniques, exchanging information with your client and revising strategies when needed is essential when practicing mindfulness (Tickle-Degnen, 2002).
- Integration into Daily Activities: OTs can integrate mindfulness into all activities of daily living. Incorporating mindfulness techniques into routine tasks such as eating, bathing, or dressing and helping clients to be fully present and engaged in each moment. Occupational therapists can integrate mindfulness into treatment sessions to enhance joy, decrease pain and increase concentration. Being mindful while engaging in occupations can allow the discovery of deeper understandings of the process of ‘doing’ these occupations as well as ‘being’ in daily life and can help achieve a state of flow (Goodman et al., 2019).
Being mindful of moments when moving through activities or setting up client’s for success by practicing mindfulness are ways occupational therapists can integrate mindfulness into their daily activities.
- Occupational Performance: Mindfulness is viewed as a means to enhance occupational performance, which includes activities that are important, purposeful, and meaningful to the individual. By fostering mindfulness, OTs aim to improve attention, concentration, and overall performance in daily life roles. Mindfulness can also be considered an occupation: when we are practicing mindfulness, we are engaging in an occupation.
- Stress Reduction and Coping Strategies: Occupational therapists recognize the impact of stress on health and well-being. Mindfulness is seen as a valuable tool for stress reduction and developing effective coping strategies. Techniques such as deep breathing, body scans, and guided meditations can be incorporated to help individuals manage stressors. Stretching and moving, using mindful movement, where appropriate, is another great way clients can reduce stress and cope.
- Mind-Body Connection: OTs understand the interconnectedness of the mind, body and the spirit. Mindfulness practices are seen as a way to enhance this mind-body connection, promoting awareness of physical sensations, emotions, and thoughts. This awareness can contribute to improved self-regulation and overall well-being.
- Promotion of Self-Care: Occupational therapists emphasize the importance of self-care in maintaining health and preventing burnout. Mindfulness can be considered an occupation here and integrated into self-care routines to promote relaxation, self-reflection, and a balanced lifestyle. Examples of mindfulness as self care would be to practice guided meditation, taking a few moments out of your day to breathe, or practicing a yoga posture. This would be practicing mindfulness formally as a part of a self-care routine.
- Cognitive and Emotional Well-Being: Mindfulness is recognized as a tool to enhance cognitive and emotional well-being. Incorporating mindfulness has beneficial effects on self-regulation, emotional regulation, behaviors, cognitive function and even academic achievement (Reid & Razza, 2022).
Occupational Therapy and Mindfulness
Occupational therapists can use mindfulness as a versatile and client-centered approach to enhance overall well-being, improve occupational performance, and address various physical and mental health challenges. Mindfulness can be used with individuals of all ages, and in multiple types of settings. OTs can integrate mindfulness formally or informally into their practice to support individuals in achieving their goals and leading fulfilling lives. I personally like to incorporate mindfulness into my school-based sessions with children. This can include a simple breath, or body scan, asking them how they are feeling, or incorporating movement with yoga poses throughout the session.
Have you tried to incorporate mindfulness into your occupational therapy sessions? I would love to know and hear more! Read some of my other posts with ideas on mindfulness for occupational therapists to use with kids here:
Check out some of my simple mindfulness practices you can incorporate and use right away.
- One-minute meditations (for when you really need them!).
- MIndful Walking
- Cloud Gazing, a simple mindfulness activity
References
- American Occupational Therapy Association (2020). Occupational Therapy in the Promotion of Health and Well-Being. American Journal of Occupational Therapy (74), 3.
- Goodman, V., Wardrope, B., Myers, S., Cohen, S., McCorquodale, L., & Kinsella, E.A. (2019). Mindfulness and Human Occupation: A scoping review. Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy, 26:3, 157-170, DOI: 10.1080/11038128.2018.1483422
- Kabat-Zinn, J. (2023). Wherever you Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life (11th ed.). Hachette, ISBN-10: 0306832011.
- Reid, S.,& Razza, R.A. (2022). Exploring the efficacy of a school-based mindful yoga program on socioemotional awareness and response to stress among elementary school. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 31: 128-141.
- Tickle-Degnen, L. (2002). Client-Centered Practice, Therapeutic Relationship, and the Use of Research Evidence. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy, 56(4), 470-474. https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.56.4.470
