Your definitive guide to mindfulness
Feeling the stress of the daily grind? Busy social lives and hectic work schedules can often tip the balance. We forget what it means to be truly in touch with ourselves and our emotions. Whether you’re stressed, feeling anxious or burning the candle at both ends, sometimes we all need a few moments to breathe and reboot. Life is a series of constant distractions — it’s all too easy to lose sight of what’s really important. The trick is learning how to roll with the punches, so as not to feel overwhelmed.
Easier said than done? We know how hard it can be to zone out and truly relax, but the art of mindfulness is a powerful tool that in a matter of minutes can bring relaxation, clarity and reassurance when you need it most. Here’s how to practice mindfulness and channel it in a supremely positive way.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is all about being present in that moment. It’s making a conscious effort to connect with what is around you and taking the time to appreciate that experience for what it actually is, not what you want it to be. It’s developing a sense of awareness that connects you to the present, giving the ability to filter out any unwanted distractions or stress.
For anyone who has experienced a general sense of disconnection or distraction, the simple way to realign with the world around you is to tap into your own sense of self-awareness. Become aware of the triggers that are causing your distraction. Stress can manifest itself in many ways, but first and foremost, it creates a barrier preventing you from carrying out your day-to-life.
Once you learn how to get comfortable with the discomfort of feeling too much stress, you’ll allow yourself to let go of the need to defend and control everything. Mindfulness helps to channel these discomforting thoughts and energies in a positive way.
How will mindfulness help me?
When we practice mindfulness, we’re practicing the art of creating space for ourselves — space to think, space to breathe, space between ourselves and our reactions. It’s important to take time out to stop and reflect, to really see what’s going on around you, else you’ll quickly find yourself lost in a sea of chaos.
Even just a few minutes of mindfulness exercises can make all the difference in helping you feel more focussed, in tune and in control. Tapping into your own thoughts and emotions will help you reconnect with your inner self.
How do I practice mindfulness and meditation?
If you want to get serious about practicing mindfulness, you need to work out a daily routine. Try to practice every day. Even if you only set aside ten minutes a day, you’ll quickly notice the difference. You’ll connect with your conscious and develop a sense of awareness and calm that you didn’t have before.
You can choose the exercises that suit you — everyone is different, so pick the ones you connect with most. Whether it’s meditating, taking time out of your day to walk amongst nature, or it’s reminding yourself of all the things you should be grateful for — adopting a daily mindful practice is a tool to bring positive thoughts and actions into your life.
Ready to dive in? Here are 10 uplifting mindfulness exercises you can practice for 10 minutes a day. And breathe…
