Practicing mindfulness helps clear your mind, lower your stress, restore internal balance, reduce anxiety, may help relieve pain, increased concentration, improve sleep just to name a few of the many benefits.
Simple yet effective ways to practice mindfulness:
Meditation or just sit and breathe. Take deep slow breathes, really feel them. Notice what is happening to your body as you are breathing. Focus on your breathing, don’t let your mind wander. Let the thoughts that come into your mind wander away. Don’t focus on them, only your deep breathing.
Take a walk. Give your full attention to your surroundings. Feel the air on your face, hear the sounds, feel the ground under your feet, notice the smells. Focus on the experience of just walking.
Enjoy and savor when you eat. While eating, notice the temperature of the food, the texture, the taste of each ingredient. What feelings are you experiencing? Be aware of what you are feeling and tasting.
Take a warm bath or shower. Feel the way the water splashes on your skin, smell the soaps, take note of the water and air temperature. How does it make you feel? Be aware of your thoughts and feelings.
Be present. When you are visiting with someone, notice them completely. The color of their eyes, the texture of their skin, the sound of their voice. Do they have freckles, the way their nose crinkles when they laugh? Be fully present, give them your complete attention.
Whatever you do, be completely there, whether it’s reading, walking, eating, exercising, visiting with someone. Live in the moment.