When was the last time you took some time to look at yourself in the
mirror?
People have either gotten too busy in their daily activities or are not
willing to look themselves in the eye. Sometimes looking at yourself in the
mirror can get uncomfortable. You can quickly spiral down to self-criticism
and begin negative thinking about yourself.
Mirrors may evoke some feelings within us. These feelings are strong tools to
help us change perspectives and view several things about ourselves
differently that are probably hidden or seen in another light.
It is in our nature to be seen, to be looked at. In your childhood, you begin
to make sense of your physical being when in front of the mirror. And in our
childhood, it is important for us to spend time understanding our physical
nature for emotional, social, and environmental development.
Technology, Media, and Mirror Gazing
Our lives have been simplified by the improved advanced technology that is
growing each day. But it is also separating us from us. We spend way less
‘me-time’, and looking in the mirror is hardly ever done.
Media has portrayed (and continues to do so) the human physical body with many
rules and categories. It has shown us the most ideal versions of human bodies
and we have slowly begun to accept those as benchmarks. This has led us to
disconnect from our bodies and even the tiniest flaw or fat is a massive
trouble!
Acceptance of our natural being is taken away by camera filters that instantly
wipe out any flaw on our skin. While people enjoy it because of its creative
nature, it is making us feel worse about our natural skin and bodies when we
look at ourselves in the mirror. This can make you avoid looking at yourself
in the mirror altogether.
As the critical self grows within us, let s connect with ourselves before is
too late.
What is Mirror Gazing?
Looking in the mirror is so much more than simply staring at your physical
body. You are not only staring at your physical self but also looking down
into your inner self. Mirror meditation is a simple practice you can do daily
for 5-10 minutes. Mirror meditation has been shown to decrease stress,
anxiety, and
depression
and increases self-compassion (Wells, 2016).
The goal of mirror meditation is to be with yourself without any agenda and
just let be whatever comes. There is no right or wrong, practice this with
the simple intention to be kind to yourself.
Position yourself in front of the mirror. You can stand or sit on the floor if
you have a full-length mirror. You may wear what feels comfortable for you.
And begin to see and reflect on yourself.
Mirror gazing and neuropsychology behind it.
Research in neuropsychology tells us that the cognitive and other brain
mechanisms we use while perceiving others’ faces are the same while we
perceive our faces.
It is argued that our perception of other people’s faces is influenced by our
feelings and emotions towards the person and therefore similarly, our feelings
and emotions toward ourselves affect how we respond to our reflection in the
mirror.
The negative feelings you have towards yourself influence mirror gazing and
this results in starting the vicious cycle where you develop a more negative
feeling about your reflection and thus its response.
In the process of looking at a mirror, people activate some regions of the
social attitudes in the brain that brings out the response corresponding to
their internalized affective attitude towards themselves.
Importance of mirror gazing:
You increase your self-compassion.
Looking at yourself in the mirror helps to embrace a more realistic point of
view. Everyone has flaws and nobody is perfect. Mirror gazing allows you to
accept your flaws. Acknowledge that these flaws in you don’t make you any less
worthy of acceptance and affection.
You build emotional awareness.
More often than not, we avoid feeling some emotions that we do not want to
deal with. When you stand in front of the mirror, you can t escape such
emotions, and you finally feel your true feelings. It’s mirror magic!
You develop confidence and self-esteem.
In these busy times, we are all running. Some of us running from ourselves.
They are hiding behind. This lowers our self-esteem and confidence to even
look at ourselves. As you begin to mirror meditate, you develop your
confidence in yourself by being friends with yourself. As this skill develops
you simultaneously increase your self-esteem.
You begin you strengthen your sense of self.
It is natural that the more time you spend with somebody, you strengthen your
relationship. But have you done that with yourself? Spending some time with
yourself strengthens your sense of self which is allowing you to know yourself
better.
What does Mirror gazing do?
The goal of mirror meditation is simple to acknowledge your
being, however, it may be-no judgments. It is a combination of mirror gazing
and mindfulness meditation.
In the beginning, it may seem awkward, and you may feel extremely
self-conscious. In the small glances we have in the mirror daily it is usually
to fix a flaw- your hair or your makeup or adjust your clothing in a way.
Mirror meditation allows you to acknowledge and accept your overall
look.
How to do mirror gazing meditation?
-
In a room (or bathroom; where you are alone), get comfortable by standing
or sitting in front of a mirror (preferably large to reflect yourself
completely).
-
Relax your muscles by taking some good deep breaths.
-
Stare in the reflection of your eyes and confidently greet yourself.
-
Look at yourself carefully. Pay attention to your breathing as well.
-
Acknowledge your flaws and with it more importantly recognize your
perfections too.
-
If any judgemental thoughts come in, do not ignore it. Accept the
thoughts, and with an exhale let them go.
-
Smile and recall a good moment. This will build your comfort level.
-
After spending some quality time looking at yourself, move to the next
phase of affirmations.
Here are a few best affirmations you can use:
‘I am lovable, and I love myself’.
‘I am grateful for my body’.
‘I am wonderful and beautifully made’.
‘My body is amazing, and I am healing’.
‘I am full of courage’.
‘I am thankful’.
Mirrors reveal much more to us than we know. The mirror shows you so much more
than what you actually see in yourself. Mirror meditation can open up many
things for you.
Does looking in the mirror help with anxiety?
Anxiety
builds on fear. Fear restricts many aspects of our lives to reduce anxiety.
Mirror gazing can help you with anxiety as it allows you to sit with yourself
and see yourself through. While meditation has its own benefits, added
advantages from mirror gazing help you reflect on your thoughts and modify
your processes leaving you in a better mood. With an improved mood, you will
surely see a reduction in your anxiety level as you enhance your confidence.
Set up an appointment with yourself to gain more insight into your thinking
patterns and confidence.
Does looking in the mirror help overcome depression?
Depression
comes along with many negative thinking patterns and a black-and-white view of
the world and yourself. Depression can darken your views and meditation and
reflection has shown to help people with depression.
Mirror gazing can help with depression. Looking at yourself in the mirror will
help you acknowledge yourself in and out as a whole. It can help you accept
that nobody is perfect, and flaws make you human. Meditation can reduce
negative thinking patterns and enhance your outlook on life.
Online Counselling & Therapy
Get help for anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues