In this busy world of ours, our minds can be constantly switched on, scattering our thoughts and emotions and leaving us feeling stressed, highly-strung and at times quite anxious.
Most of us don’t tend to find the time to take a few minutes in the day to simply relax. Even if we take that relaxing bath or watch our favourite TV show, our minds can still be habitually wandering through thoughts and emotional processes. At times this can be exhausting, especially if those thoughts and feelings are negative.
To help minimise our stress in our mind, it is essential for our wellbeing to take a few minutes each day to cultivate mental spaciousness. This can help achieve a sense of emotional and mental relaxation.
Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a practice which has been recently cultivated into our modern world. It can help individuals to cope with anxiety and depression, obsessive behaviours and low morale. Those who suffer with chronic illnesses have also found mindfulness to effectively manage their pain.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a practice where you consciously take notice of the present moment. This can be done either by meditating or by focusing your attention on your moment-to-moment everyday activity. Such as brushing your teeth, making a hot drink or cooking. This is done by slowing down the process, becoming fully present as it unfolds and involves all of your senses.
How can I practice mindfulness?
Practicing mindfulness is deceptively simple. But simple doesn’t mean easy……
Ultimately the best way to start mindfulness is to first practice mindful meditation. And all you need is yourself and a comfortable seat.
- Most beginners start by bringing their attention on to their breath. When noticing the breath, you can feel the sensations of the inhalation and exhalation. You can continue to connect, enjoy, and observe every moment.
- The mind can have a tendency to wonder off to other mental processes whilst practicing mindful meditation. Just notice them. Don’t judge or attach to them but come back to the breath.
How do I start?
Some people start by practicing mindful moments 3 minutes a day. Then, gradually work up towards practicing 20 to 30 minutes per day. A general starting point for most beginners on their mindful journey is to consider going to a mindful meditation class or to follow an audio guide. This often helps us to experience the practice with more ease. Soon enough once you start to feel comfortable with the practice then it’s just a case of remembering to practice regularly, as we do with our other daily habits.
Practicing mindfulness regularly will help to keep our minds more focused on the here and now. It also gives us a moment to notice our minds health. It’s these moments that gives us time to calm our bodies physiology and minds psychologically. The more we do this, the more we become resilient against everyday mental and emotional stressors.
We have the capability to shift the ways our minds process information and free our minds from the common forms of modern-day stress. Mental and emotional stressors need attention and space to process information following with a few moments to shift our physiological responses from these negative thoughts and feelings. Mindfulness is a comfortable, natural practice to help us overcome stress, and prevent us by falling victims of mental ill health.
Feel free, feel better, feel stronger and take the time to practice good mindful habits each day.
