Living Life in the Present Tense
Mindfulness Will Get You There
Mindfulness, a Buddhist-inspired practice, is growing in popularity as a way to cope with stress. As you can see, there are lots of benefits as noted below. Mindfulness is a form of meditation that involves focusing on the present moment. It is about being aware of your thoughts and feelings and accepting them without reacting.
Mindfulness can help you approach situations with a more relaxed attitude. It can be practiced in many ways, including breathwork, and yoga.
A study by The University of Washington found that employees who took a mindfulness class reported feeling less stressed and more productive. They also felt that they had better communication with their coworkers.
Benefits of Mindfulness
- Reduce stress, anxiety, and depression
- Improve focus and concentration
- Increase self-awareness
- Improve mental health and emotional well-being
- Increase productivity and academic performance
- Improve cognitive function and mood
- Improve communication and relationships
- Effective learning
- Improve physical health
- More aware of thoughts and feelings
Photo by Ketut Subiyanto
Mindful Breathing
1. The inhale-exhale breath: Inhale for four seconds, hold your breath for two seconds, and exhale for six seconds. Repeat this cycle five times.
2. The alternate-nostril breath: Close your right nostril with your thumb and inhale through your left nostril for four seconds. Close your left nostril with your ring finger and exhale through your right nostril for six seconds. Repeat this cycle five times.
3. The counting breath: Inhale for four counts, hold your breath for four counts, and exhale for four counts.
Mindful Walking
When you’re walking, pay attention to the sensations in your feet and legs, the movement of your body, the sound of your footsteps, and the air moving against your skin. Notice how everything feels different when you’re walking slowly versus when you’re walking quickly.
When your mind wanders (and it will), simply bring your attention back to what you’re sensing in the present moment. If you find that you’re having difficulty focusing, try counting your steps or repeating a mantra (a short phrase that helps you focus).
Mindful Eating
When you eat mindfully, you focus on the physical and emotional experience of eating, rather than letting your mind wander. This can help you to appreciate your food more and to better understand your own body’s hunger and fullness signals. Mindful eating can also lead to weight loss or maintenance if done correctly.
Conclusion
Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to the present moment by focusing on your thoughts and feelings without judgment. It improves both mental and physical health. Mindfulness can help you remain calm in a stressful situation. Adopt a mindfulness routine starting today.
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