JPPS Wellbeing

Mindful Monsters – Object Focus Owen

The Mindful Monsters Program is a Mindfulness program which uses memorable monster characters to help us learn portable techniques for calming the body and focusing the mind. 

This week’s Mindful Monster is Object Focus Owen. 

When Owen feels overwhelmed by racing thoughts, uncomfortable feelings or sensory overload, he turns his attention to any ordinary object that he can place in his hands and directs his focus on this exclusively for a few minutes. Owen might choose a toy, a kitchen utensil, something natural found outside in the garden, an interesting piece of fabric or something from his craft supplies and he will put this item in his hands and mindfully examine that item in lots of detail. 

He asks himself some questions to help guide his exploration:

• How does it feel in my hand?
• Is it heavy? Is it light?
• Is it smooth? Is it rough? Is it fluffy?
• Does it bend?
• Does it stretch?
• Is it flat? Is it long? What shape is it?
• Does it make a sound?
• What happens if I squeeze it?
• What colour is it? What does this colour remind me of?
• What is it called?

This mindfulness activity is also great to do in pairs, where one person asks the questions while the other person holds the item in their hands and explores the object with their eyes opened or closed.

Laura Serong

Student Wellbeing Officer