Book nook: 'Mindfulness' about depression
"MINDFULNESS: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World, by Mark Williams and Danny Penman. Rodale Books, 276 pp., $24.99.
MINDFULNESS: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World, by Mark Williams and Danny Penman. Rodale Books, 276 pp., $24.99.
Williams, a clinical psychology professor at the University of Oxford, was part of an international team that in 2002 developed Mindfulness-Based Cognitive Therapy, which is used from the Mayo Clinic to his native Britain to help prevent relapse of depression.
Williams and journalist Penman begin with "Chasing Your Tail": "Can you remember the last time you lay in bed wrestling with your thoughts?" (You mean, like, last night?) Our thoughts often control our moods -- but they don't have to.
They start simply, with a chocolate meditation, teaching you how to really taste that sweet treat. It's astonishing.
THE SCOOP Each week, the program builds on itself. You'll start paying attention to your breathing and a routine activity, such as brushing your teeth -- and a "habit releaser" to change your perspective.
THE BOTTOM LINE "Happiness is looking at the same things with different eyes." And paying attention.
'We have to do better' Newsday high school sports editor Gregg Sarra talks about a bench-clearing, parent-involved incident at a Half Hollow Hills West basketball game.
'We have to do better' Newsday high school sports editor Gregg Sarra talks about a bench-clearing, parent-involved incident at a Half Hollow Hills West basketball game.
