Michele Mattoon

Who: Michele Mattoon, wellness coach. Michele is trained in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR).

What: Online chat, July 28, 2009

QUESTION: Michele, I see that you are trained in Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction. Can you explain what that is?

J.J. Perry, HTO

MICHELE MATTOON: Mindfulness is simply a disciplined way of paying attention. It is a systematic approach to developing new kinds of control and wisdom in our lives. It does this by developing our inner capacities for relaxation, awareness and insight. Mindfulness is a kind of meditation. It is non-sectarian meditation that anyone can use to improve balance in their lives!

QUESTION: Do you feel that caffeinated substances used in moderation result in increased stress in the body? If so, to what degree?

What methods can we practice to develop improved capacity for compassionate distance so that we don't unintentionally internalize the negative issues and energies of those we are trying to help?

Kathy Boone, Bloomington

MICHELE MATTOON: I think that everyone's bodies are different. Some people are fine with moderate caffeine intake. Personally, I don't do caffeine because I know that it can be a problem for me.

I think it's important to develop compassionate awareness. Obviously, you to take care of yourself so that you have the resources to take care of others in your life. Learning to live in the moment really helps! Mindfulness is a great tool to learn to do this. Once you develop your ability to be in the present, you have the space to thoughtfully respond to the stressors in your life, rather than automatically reacting to them, (often with negative results). Discovering how you deal with emotional triggers help you to respond to others in a calm, loving way, without taking on the energies of the people around you.

QUESTION: Michele is there any proof on which type of exercise is best for stress. For example is Cardio or Weight Lifting better for you. I do both but was always curious to know which one would be better for me. Having a hard time sticking to eating right any pointers for us.

Rick, Monrovia

MICHELE MATTOON: Any kind of repetitive sustained activity has been shown to help stress. I think most people look at cardio for this, but lifting weights can also bring about this state of mind. To lift, you are generally very aware of your breathing, how your muscles are reacting, if you have any pain, etc... This is you living in the moment, which definitely helps reduce stress.

In my MBSR class we will practice some "eating meditation". This is bringing your awareness to the food that you are eating. There is no talking, reading or watching TV while this happens. Instead, you are focused on the taste and texture of your food, your chewing, and your swallowing. You notice when the food stops being appealing and can actually catch the moment that you feel full. A great side effect of this awareness is learning what foods make you feel good and what foods don't. This doesn't mean you shouldn't ever eat ice cream! It just allows you to enjoy it more as you do, (and maybe you'll realize that you don't have to eat the whole pint...)

QUESTION: Please talk about how to trim one's schedule and be more simple when in the middle of child-raising years...

Lynne Shifriss, Bloomington

MICHELE MATTOON: Good luck! I think it's important to realize that many things we think we have to do, we actually don't. Also, we tend to fill our schedules with a lot of "busy work" that helps us avoid tasks that we really have to do, but are unpleasant. I think it is important to write down a schedule of your day, putting down all the things that you have to do and the time you are going to do them. Then, don't get distracted by answering email or the phone, (schedule specific times for those things). Remember, doing things that are good for you every day is necessary! Working out, practicing stress reduction, taking a relaxing bath at the end of the day are things you need to do, not just add-ons. Some days you will be too busy to do these things, but that should be the exception, rather than the other way around. Also--your outer world is a reflection of your inner state of mind. If your house, office or car is cluttered and disorganized, than so is your inner state of being. Clean up and you'll immediately feel better!

QUESTION: To what extent do you think wellness is a state of mind?

Andrea Murray, Bloomington

MICHELE MATTOON: I think that wellness has a great deal to do with your state of mind. In my MBSR class, we focus on what is right with you instead of what is wrong with you. MBSR was originally created by John Kabat-Zinn in 1979 as a way for people to deal with chronic pain. Over the thirty years of the program, studies have shown that people not only find that MBSR reduces stress, but it also helps an amazing array of other physical and emotional symptoms. Developing an awareness of how your mind and body works absolutely allows you to take control of your own well being. This is not to say that I think Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction can cure cancer. However, it has been proven that this program in conjunction with traditional medical support is more beneficial than either approach by itself.

QUESTION: Can you talk for a bit about how stress affects our bodies? Not only in physical problems that are obvious, but in weight gain as well?

Lynne Shifriss, Bloomington

MICHELE MATTOON: Stress is an insidious problem. It can cause an incredible array of problems if it isn't dealt with such as: anxiety, moodiness, lack of energy, aches and pain, memory problems, nervous habits, sleeping or eating too much or too little, irritability, constant worry, depression, a negative outlook, and on and on. These problems eventually have physical manifestations like high blood pressure, heart trouble, insomnia, etc... Everyone knows they should deal with the stress in their lives. Unfortunately, many of us do this in ways that give us short term relief, but create more stress for us down the road, like eating too much, drinking too much or taking drugs. Learning how to deal with your stress in positive ways can only help your psychological and physical health!

QUESTION: MODERATOR: Thanks everyone for all your questions today, and thanks to Michele for visiting to answer them. Michele, is there anything else you'd like to add?

MICHELE MATTOON: I'd like to invite anyone who is interested in reducing their stress and creating more balance in their lives to visit my website at www.mbsrclass.com or contact me at michele@mbsrclass.com or (812) 588-0033. I'm giving a couple of free orientation class about Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction at Harmony School on Aug. 10 and 24. My eight week class starts September 14. Peace, everyone!