ABSTRACT

In DBT and mindful eating from the dialectical perspective, the path to more balanced living begins with foundational elements of mindfulness training. As we have discussed, mindfulness can be defined as being in the present moment in a nonjudgmental way, bringing awareness to what is happening, internally or externally. Looking inward we can notice our thoughts, our emotions, our physical sensations, and our urges. Looking outward we can notice our environment, using our five senses. For example, we may notice,

I am having the thought “I have a lot of work to do,” I am having the emotion of anxiety, I am feeling a physical sensation of my stomach slightly churning, I am having an urge to scratch an itch on my ankle, I am noticing the feeling of air moving on my arm from the fan (touch), I am noticing the whirring sound of the fan (sound), I am noticing the scent (smell) and taste of my coffee, sipping it slowly, I am noticing the sight of the words I am typing (sight).