Mindfulness
“If you truly want to change your life, start with changing your mind.”
Mindfulness is the ability to be fully present.
The focus is on being aware of what you are sensing and feeling in a particular moment.
To being aware of, yet not becoming overwhelmed or reactive to your surroundings as well as noticing where you are and what you are doing.
It is a way to relax your body and mind and helps reduce stress, anxiety, and panic attacks.
Mindfulness is free and available to us in every moment.
Take the time to pause and listen to your breath.
Pay attention, on purpose, to what is happening and what you are feeling in the present moment, without judgement or distraction.
This can give you a better understanding of yourself and your wisdom.
“Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgementally,” says Kabat-Zinn. “And then I sometimes add, in the service of self-understanding and wisdom."
How to be Mindful:
- Slow down
- Spend time in nature
- Eat mindfully – don’t rush
- Recognise how you breathe
- Practice total relaxation
- Pay attention to what you are doing
- Avoid comparing yourself with others
- Listen empathetically
- Be grateful
- Let the future take care of itself
- Put the phone down
- Release your authentic self
- Observe the present moment
- Pause – breathe – then act.
When you practice mindfulness, you may find that you feel calmer and more patient. Once this shift occurs, you are more able to generate changes in other areas of your life also.
Benefits of Mindfulness
- Increases personal awareness
- Lowers anxiety and depression levels
- Creates a sense of calm and still presence
- Increases clarity
- Experiences of feeling connected
- Develops a sense of empathy and connectedness
- Better regulation of feelings and emotions
- Improves ability to cope and manage situations
Mindfulness Exercises to try.
- Yawn and stretch for 10 seconds
- Pretend to yawn which will trigger a real one. Say “ahh” as you exhale.
- This can interrupt your thoughts at the time and brings you back to the present.
- Mindfully eat a piece of chocolate (my personal favourite)
- Take a piece of chocolate.
- Sense it, smell it, touch it.
- Now put it in your mouth and slowly chew it, being conscious of every movement, the texture, feel and taste you experience.
- Enjoy!
- S.T.O.P
S - stop what you are doing, put everything down for a minute.
T - take a breath.
O - observe your thoughts, feelings, and emotions.
P - proceed with something that will support you in the moment.