Mindfulness-Centered CBT: Daily Practices for Managing Stress and Anxiety

More and more people are seeking effective ways to reduce anxiety and manage overwhelming stress. The Think Act Be approach to mindfulness-centred cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) offers three research-proven ways to cope with these challenges:  

• Mindful presence (Be) grounds our awareness in the here-and-now and helps us open to realty just as it is, which provides a firm foundation for cognitive and behavioural practices.  
• Cognitive (Think) techniques allow us to identify and challenge unhelpful thought patterns. 
• Behavioural (Act) practices help us plan actions that move us toward our valued goals. These approaches are mutually reinforcing, with practice in one area supporting growth in the others.  

This session will begin with a brief overview of the Think Act Be approach and the research to support its effectiveness. It will then describe a method of integrating mindfulness-centred CBT practices into one’s daily routine, from the first moments after awakening until going to bed at night. These straightforward and practical exercises can help to keep stress and anxiety within a manageable range while increasing self-efficacy to handle challenging emotional states.