“Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally.”
Jon Kabat-Zinn
Mindfulness in speech therapy
We’ve shared on our website, previous blog posts, and social media posts about how mindfulness can play a role in speech therapy and brain injury recovery. Although we can say from experience that mindfulness makes us feel better and more calm, here is growing evidence that mindfulness actually changes the brain and can support recovery and resilience after brain injury (read our previous blog post about how mindfulness changes brain structure, and visit LoveYourBrain to learn about their research initiatives). At Lotus Speech & Wellness, we like to think of mindfulness in speech therapy as another “tool” to add to your cognitive-linguistic “toolbox” that already might include your planner, notebook, repetition, visualization, etc. And the more you practice mindfulness, the easier it’ll be to use it during a stressful moment.
Last week, I had a great conversation on Instagram Live with SLP Danielle Hyde of Neuro Connections about mindfulness in speech therapy. Danielle is a private practice SLP based in Toronto, Ontario who also specializes in cognitive-communication impairments after brain injury. For today’s blog post, we are excited to share a recording of our conversation from December 15th:
Are you an SLP? What are your thoughts on using mindfulness in speech therapy?
Are you a yoga teacher? Have you had people with brain injury in your yoga or mindfulness classes?
Are you recovering from a brain injury? Have you tried practicing mindfulness yet? If so, did you find it helpful? If not, would you be willing to give it a try?
Let us know in the comments below!
And before we go, here are a few mindfulness resources to explore:
- Could mindfulness practice be helpful for people with aphasia? ASHA Leader Article by Annie Gatziolis, January 2017
- LoveYourBrain Mindset Program
- Building Resilience Podcast by Leah Davidson of Leah Davidson Life Coaching (another great SLP who is also a life coach in Toronto)
- Peaceful Wellness with Deb
- The Mindful Day by Laurie J. Cameron
- How practicing mindfulness could ease stress. Brain & Life Magazine June/July 2020.
- Lotus Speech & Wellness Yoga & Mindfulness page
- Lotus Speech & Wellness Free Download: How Yoga and Mindfulness Support Communication & Cognitive Skills