Adjusting to your diagnosis

Mindfulness

Name: Mindfulness
Keywords: Mindfulness

Mindfulness is an awareness of what’s happening in the present moment in your mind, body and the world around you.1 Find out how mindfulness can help you cope.

2 min read

Evidence suggests that being mindful reduces stress and anxiety, while building resilience.^1,2 There are many ways you can learn how to practise mindfulness in your daily life. You can learn in person, either in a group or one-to-one session, teach yourself from books, or practise tips you can find online. You can also download apps on your mobile phone or tablet.

How you choose to be mindful is up to you. Some people might prefer to listen to music, while others might like to bake, cook or go for short walks around their neighbourhood. Another popular option is mindful meditation.

Try mindful meditation³

Sit on a chair with your feet on the floor. Close your eyes and place your hands in your lap.

Focus on what your body is feeling. For example, a breeze against your skin, or your feet pressed against the floor.

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When practicing meditation, your mind may start to wander and think about other things. Allow this natural curiosity but don’t get caught up in it. Bring your attention back to your body in the present moment, whenever you find yourself wandering.³

You might find it difficult at first. Stick at it. It will take a while to adjust to this new discipline.

Managing symptoms

The symptoms of scleroderma can be difficult to deal with. Learn about the things you can do to manage how they affect you.

Find out more

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Monitoring scleroderma

Symptoms of scleroderma may change over time. Learn how regular monitoring can help keep the disease in check.

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Patient organisations and support groups

Many groups and institutions support and represent people with scleroderma. Get contact details for your local organisation.

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Mindfulness All-Party Parliamentary Group. Mindful Nation UK. Updated 2015. Available: https://mindfulnessinschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/Mindfulness-APPG-Report_Mindful-Nation-UK_Oct2015-1.pdf [Accessed December 2021].
Cavanagh K et al. Can mindfulness and acceptance be learnt by self-help? A systematic review and meta-analysis of mindfulness and acceptance-based self-help interventions. Clin Psychol Rev. 2014;34(2):118-29.
Mindful.org. Getting started with mindfulness. Available: https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/ [Accessed December 2021].