Mindfulness Skills for OCD

For some with Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), peace of mind seems like an impossible, intangible goal.  Our minds can be a whirlwind of self-doubt, self-blame, and worry.  We can feel like we are constantly at the mercy of our rituals and hyper-focused on the things we “need” to do in order to feel well.  

For an individual with OCD, developing mindfulness skills may not fully quiet this overactive brain, but at the very least, will help give you distance from your worries and fears.  

Mindfulness involves intentionally making space between yourself and your thoughts.  You are nonjudgmentally noticing your OCD and perhaps providing a gentle label, like “oh! There goes my OCD again.”  

We notice how our OCD thoughts make us feel, without trying to actively change those emotions.  We simply allow space for these emotions and perhaps honor them for their effort to keep us safe.  It is easy to be hard on ourselves for feeling “irrational” emotions, but in mindfulness, an emotion is simply treated like a cloud in the sky.  It is seen and given its due course, but also allowed to float away with time.  

Utilizing mindfulness skills will also help us avoid our compulsions by taking us back to our breath.  Breathing exercises that encourage us to center our attention on the air coming in and out of our bodies will realign us with our physical being and create a sense of safety.  In this more regulated, embodied state, it is easier to resist our OCD urges.  

Effectively applying mindfulness techniques takes practice.  We nourish our abilities to be mindful every time we set an intention to do so, and apply no judgment to our efforts.

If you would like to work with one of our Mindfulness Coaches or get additional support with your OCD, please contact us at Kairos Wellness Collective.