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The Mindfulness Key: The Breakthrough Approach to Dealing with Stress, Anxiety and Depression
This groundbreaking book explains how to practise mindfulness, using step-by-step exercises to help the reader understand key techniques such as breathing, relaxation, body scanning and concentration building. Written by a team of practising therapists led by Sarah Silverton, it includes chapters on using mindfulness to self-treat such specific problems as depression, stress, anxiety, chronic illness, and childcare and relationship issues. As we progress through each chapter, we learn how to become aware of unhelpful automatic reactions to our emotions, feelings and experiences. Rather than 'reacting' to life as we always have, mindfulness shows us how to observe our experience and as a result behave in a way that is gentler, wiser and more positive. Practical, accessible and featuring uncomplicated exercises to help the reader fully understand and adopt the mindfulness approach, this book truly is a breakthrough: the most friendly and engaging title available on the subject; and one which, like a trusted therapist, guides the reader through his or her problems and questions, anticipating their needs with kindness and compassion. This book has so much potential to help people and contribute to the flowering of greater well-being and sanity on this planet.
- GenresSelf HelpNonfiction
234 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
March 30, 2016
We’ve all done it: you get in the car to drive somewhere and all of a sudden you’re at the destination with no memory of the trip. Or you’re reading a book and find you have to turn back a few pages to go over the text again because you can’t remember what you read.
In both of these situations, your thoughts are probably so tangled up in other things in your life that you’ve gone on auto-pilot. With our modern, super-busy lives, many of us constantly agonize about the past and what will happen in the future. This creates a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety.
One reason adult coloring books have become so popular is that they supposedly help us manage our stress and anxiety through mindfulness.
But what is “mindfulness?” And is coloring really mindful?
The Mindfulness Key: The Breakthrough Approach to Dealing with Stress, Anxiety and Depression by Sarah Silverton does an excellent job answering the first question. This compact and concise (176 pages) book will introduce you to mindfulness, both in theory and practice, to give you a start in understanding yourself better and improving the way you live.
Author Sarah Silverton is an occupational therapist and counselor with 25 years’ experience working with people with mental health issues and physical disabilities, including chronic fatigue. She was trained by Professor Mark Williams of Oxford University, and by the Center for Mindfulness in Massachusetts, which was established by mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn. Silverton currently works at the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice in Wales.
The Mindfulness Key is divided into two sections. The first defines mindfulness in easy-to-understand language and provides quite a few practical exercises; it also provides examples to help you learn fundamental techniques such as breathing, relaxation, body scanning and concentration building. In fact, just ten minutes into the book you will be trying a mindful exercise. The second part of the book guides you in using mindfulness for particular life challenges, such as depression, stress, anxiety, chronic illness, and childcare and relationship issues.
As the book progresses, you will learn to become aware of harmful automatic reactions to your emotions, feelings and experiences. Rather than “reacting” to life and uselessly pondering the causes and many potential outcomes, you will learn that mindfulness is a way to look at your experiences and then act more positively and constructively.
I love this book’s practical exercises and examples – they are very helpful in helping you understand and practice mindfulness. And the diagrams and illustrations are great for people like me who appreciate visual learning.
So, is coloring mindful?
After reading The Mindfulness Key, my answer is that coloring certainly can be a way to practice mindfulness. I now see that coloring helps me break constant streams of anxiety and stress because, while coloring, I concentrate on what’s happening in the “right now,” not on unproductive downward spiraling “what ifs.”
The only criticism I have of this book is that it introduces the concept of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (“CBT”). In my experience, CBT is a natural progression from mindfulness, but it is such an expansive subject it is better to learn about it in classics like Mind Over Mood, with the guidance of a qualified therapist. To her credit, however, the author does recognize that the support found in a class and/or with a professional is the best way to benefit from mindfulness. To that end, she has helpfully included a list of online references for finding classes and support.
If you are stressed, overwhelmed or just looking for a way to manage your normal anxieties, The Mindfulness Key is a great place to start.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book to feature and review. I didn’t receive any monetary compensation. My thoughts, opinions and words about this book are 100% my own, unbiased opinion.
In both of these situations, your thoughts are probably so tangled up in other things in your life that you’ve gone on auto-pilot. With our modern, super-busy lives, many of us constantly agonize about the past and what will happen in the future. This creates a lot of unnecessary stress and anxiety.
One reason adult coloring books have become so popular is that they supposedly help us manage our stress and anxiety through mindfulness.
But what is “mindfulness?” And is coloring really mindful?
The Mindfulness Key: The Breakthrough Approach to Dealing with Stress, Anxiety and Depression by Sarah Silverton does an excellent job answering the first question. This compact and concise (176 pages) book will introduce you to mindfulness, both in theory and practice, to give you a start in understanding yourself better and improving the way you live.
Author Sarah Silverton is an occupational therapist and counselor with 25 years’ experience working with people with mental health issues and physical disabilities, including chronic fatigue. She was trained by Professor Mark Williams of Oxford University, and by the Center for Mindfulness in Massachusetts, which was established by mindfulness expert Jon Kabat-Zinn. Silverton currently works at the Centre for Mindfulness Research and Practice in Wales.
The Mindfulness Key is divided into two sections. The first defines mindfulness in easy-to-understand language and provides quite a few practical exercises; it also provides examples to help you learn fundamental techniques such as breathing, relaxation, body scanning and concentration building. In fact, just ten minutes into the book you will be trying a mindful exercise. The second part of the book guides you in using mindfulness for particular life challenges, such as depression, stress, anxiety, chronic illness, and childcare and relationship issues.
As the book progresses, you will learn to become aware of harmful automatic reactions to your emotions, feelings and experiences. Rather than “reacting” to life and uselessly pondering the causes and many potential outcomes, you will learn that mindfulness is a way to look at your experiences and then act more positively and constructively.
I love this book’s practical exercises and examples – they are very helpful in helping you understand and practice mindfulness. And the diagrams and illustrations are great for people like me who appreciate visual learning.
So, is coloring mindful?
After reading The Mindfulness Key, my answer is that coloring certainly can be a way to practice mindfulness. I now see that coloring helps me break constant streams of anxiety and stress because, while coloring, I concentrate on what’s happening in the “right now,” not on unproductive downward spiraling “what ifs.”
The only criticism I have of this book is that it introduces the concept of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (“CBT”). In my experience, CBT is a natural progression from mindfulness, but it is such an expansive subject it is better to learn about it in classics like Mind Over Mood, with the guidance of a qualified therapist. To her credit, however, the author does recognize that the support found in a class and/or with a professional is the best way to benefit from mindfulness. To that end, she has helpfully included a list of online references for finding classes and support.
If you are stressed, overwhelmed or just looking for a way to manage your normal anxieties, The Mindfulness Key is a great place to start.
Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book to feature and review. I didn’t receive any monetary compensation. My thoughts, opinions and words about this book are 100% my own, unbiased opinion.
March 3, 2023
Self help and self change are proven facts in the eastern world. The mind either by itself or with positive coaching will do the body best instead of drugging it to make big corporations filthy rich. I am still a work in progress but I truly believe that if I didn't turn my back on the drug dealers, I wouldn't be where I am today....happy and improving my physical, mental, emotional and spiritual human experience daily, and it's getting better all the time. This book is one of many that I read to reinforce my faith in the power of the mind and universe.
February 24, 2018
I don’t know that it’s “groundbreaking”, but it does a good job organizing information about how to use mindfulness in your life.
September 4, 2019
Great experience, i will indeed practice mindfulness 😇
April 28, 2016
Just loved the book, how mindfulness changes your perspective on life, on how to open your heart by using mindfulness and every day has health benefits together with some amazing exercises.
You should try mindfulness together with zen its a brilliant journey.
You should try mindfulness together with zen its a brilliant journey.
June 1, 2016
Despite being short, it is an ideal guide for the beginner with step-by-step exercises which covers and combine all aspects of the body-mind connection. This book is well laid out with memorable antidotes, key points and is user-friendly.
January 29, 2016
this was a well organized and informational beginners book on mindfulness. i enjoyed this!
March 19, 2016
This book hits many aspects of life where mindfulness can be added. I feel it would be great to read for those wanting to add something beneficial to their lives.
August 4, 2016
Just loved this book how mindfulness changes your perspective on life, on how to open your heart by using mindfulness everyday which has health benefits together with some amazing exercises.
September 11, 2016
Great easy read on mindfulness with tips and practices to try.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews