Betterment of Mind, Psychotherapy with Cristina Aicher

08/11/2026

Why do we need to practice mindfulness? Think of it as lifting dumbbells at the gym. The action itself is quite pointless,- was it not for the end goal of becoming stronger over time. When we are physically stronger, we incur less injuries, and we have much more versatility in our movements and activities. Similarly, we practice mindfulness to become mentally stronger and mentally more flexible. Instead of rigid thinking, - we become flexible. Instead of being overcome by emotions,- we become mentally stronger to shift our focus into calming our nervous system. We can practice mindfulness in more ways than just meditation, if that is something that is intimidating to you. We can be mindful with our bodies: Noticing tension in our shoulders and releasing them, or by noticing that we stopped breathing while we were telling a friend about something stressful. We can be mindful of our thoughts: Just observe them curiously for a bit, rather than being carried away by them, or trying to steer them in a direction. We can be mindful of an activity: simply be present with what the activity has to offer, rather than allowing our minds to wander towards planning the future or lamenting about the past.

07/31/2026

07/31/2026

On dating apps a big claim is “I have high EQ” is that true? What do you mean with that? That you are good at regulating other people’s feelings? That you know your own feelings? Since EQ consists of 8 facets you could potentially be good at regulating other people’s feelings, but not be able to understand or perceive your own. Or you are really good at ignoring your own (not perceiving) and good at understanding other’s emotions, but avoid dealing with it? Overall high EQ means you perceive, understand, facilitate and regulate emotions in self and others well.. how do you think you do?

07/30/2026

The 52 challenge: Expand your comfort zone in order to increase the areas in which you feel secure in the world. Try something new. Do something a little scary. Push back on the ever shrinking comfort zone to decrease anxiety.

07/28/2026

Part 1 (follow for tips on how to expand your comfort zone): Shrinking your comfort zone, shrinks your world and then your world gradually becomes a big, scary place- outside of your comfort zone. Challenging your comfort zone can reduce, at least stop the growth of, your anxiety mentalhealthawareness

07/23/2026

Using mindfulness for health anxiety strengthens your muscle in focus-shifting. When your thalamus is hypersensitive, bodily sensations and interoception is in hyper-focus. Being able to reset this by focusing on one body part, being a finger tip or temples, and then shifting the focus away from that body part again - strengthens the “shifting muscle”. Mindfulness is more than ‘meditating free of thoughts under a tree for hours’ (come on - who does that?). The very people who think it is not for them benefit the most from strengthening their ability to shift their focus.

07/20/2026

The opposite of control is not chaos- it is acceptance - in your anxious attempt to predict, prevent, anticipate, control and manage events, moves, emotions, actions, reactions and behaviors in self and others- the more you potentially generate internal chaos. Acceptance is freedom from this dependency on controlling everything