SURF the URGE: Mindfulness Recovery Tools

Stephen J. Paquette, BASc, RYT, MPH (c.)Prevention & Health Promotion CoordinatorSPaquette@swndha.nshealth.ca

Tobacco Tobacco Cessation Cessation GroupGroup

Mindfulness-Based Recovery Tools

March 7, 2012

Outline

Introduction Mindfulness, Past and Present Neuroscience: Enlightening Mindfulness The SURF Tool Reflections

The History of Mindfulness Millennia of practice throughout the world The Relaxation Response Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) Mindfulness Based Relapse Prevention (MBRP)

The Perfect Storm

MindfulnessMindfulness

NeuroscienceNeuroscience• fMRI

• Neuroplasticity

• Mechanisms

EvidenceEvidence• Chronic Disease

• Mental Illness

• Substance Use

Population Health ApproachPopulation Health Approach• Complete State Approach • Pathogenic and Salutogenic

Budget / Financial PressuresBudget / Financial Pressures

Mindfulness-Based Practices

Martial ArtsMartial ArtsYogaYoga

Tai ChiTai Chi

RelaxationRelaxation

Long-Term Effect

Increased activity

in the middle

prefrontal cortex (Siegel, 2010)

Middle Prefrontal Cortex

Bodily Regulation Attuned Communication Emotional Balance Response Flexibility

Empathy Insight Intuition Fear Modulation Moral Awareness

Source: Siegel D J, MindSight (2010)

Functions

Basic Neurobiology

LEFT RIGHT

The Left HemisphereThe Left Hemisphere

Serial Processor

Limited

Separate

Left-Brain

Judgmental

The Right Hemisphere

Parallel Parallel ProcessorProcessor

Expansive

Sensational

Right-Brain

Creative

Neuroscientific Study

University of Toronto and CAMH N.A.S. Farb et al (2007)

Narrative Focus (NF) vs. Experiential Focus (EF) Mindfulness Training (MT) decouples habitual default

NF

Mindfulness Training improves both

NarrativeFocus

ExperientialFocus

Source: N.A.S. Farb et al (2007)

Neuroscientific Study

SURF the URGE

SURF the URGE

SURF the URGE

SURF the URGE

ReflectionsReflections

Thank You!

a·lo·ha [ah-loh-hah]

Origin: alo – to be present with ha – the Great Breath