Relieve stress in a few breaths, interested?
It seems today’s climate is demanding more and more of us as each day passes- we are working harder than ever, wanting more for our families and ourselves and generally ‘doing’ too much. As if that is not enough, we are juggling the constant tings and calls on our phones, the endless lists we make and time we never seem to have enough of, and trying to remain sane in amongst all this ‘doing stuff’. I feel overwhelmed just writing this! The good news is we can step off this treadmill whenever we choose, and it need only take a few minutes, to feel calmer and more in control.
Mindfulness is defined as
‘a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique’.
Essentially, mindfulness promotes living mindfully in the present, in the here and now. What many of us do is ruminate over the past or worry about the future, which prevents us from enjoying moments and time in our present lives. ‘More being, less doing’.
We can under take mindfulness practice anywhere at anytime, and the key idea is that we notice and are curious of having thoughts and feelings, but we are not reacting to them, we are accepting of them, and then letting them pass- like clouds drifting through on a sunny day. Thoughts are just thoughts, not facts. We ground ourselves to the earth by planting our feet firmly on the ground, and use our breath to focus on (as it is always with us). Your mind will wonder, that is the way of the human brain, do not berate yourself, notice where you went, accept it and return to your breath). It’s as simple as that!
A few minutes (10 minutes is recommended) practice a day can make the difference you need.
Try the Headspace, Calm or Insight timer app’s for guided meditations, they are free to try, convenient and easily accessible.
Embrace the peace!