It is increasingly easy to feel overwhelmed all of a sudden because of how life these days asks of you. So it is to find yourself struggling to keep up both physically and psychologically. Such status, however, triggers stress and anxiety in the long run, which eventually takes a toll on your body.
By and large, whether you are suffering pain or discomfort resulted from workplace, domestic or personal issues, seeking and practicing mindfulness can help mitigate your stress.
What is mindfulness?
Even though it is common to practice mindfulness through meditation, the former highlights the act of being present and living in the current moment. In practice, there are a wide variety of ways to find mindfulness anytime throughout the day.
Neither does mindfulness center around the past nor the future. Instead, it involves taking time to check in with yourself, paying attention to your thoughts, feelings and embracing what you are experiencing at the moment.
What are the benefits of being mindful?
Studies have revealed that a mindfulness practice is beneficial to your physical body by reducing blood pressure and improving immune function. At the same time, it is an effective mental health approach for anyone who desires to enhance or have more control over their thoughts, feelings and emotions.
3 ways to seek daily mindfulness
1). Observe your breathing. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, spend five minutes doing this exercise: stand or sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Then place your hand on your stomach and slowly inhale through your nose, concentrating on breathing on your abdominal muscles.
Rise your abdomen as you breathe in. Exhale slowly through your mouth while your belly deflates and flattens again. Only a few minutes of this practice a day can relieve anxiety.
2). When you are conversing, do engage. How often are you texting or thinking about what to get at the grocery store when someone is trying to have a conversation with you? Next time you chat with a friend or even a stranger, be fully present with them.
For instance, listen to what others are saying. Notice their features as they speak, like the color of their eyes or the sound of their voice. If you are talking on the phone, close your eyes to avoid outside distractions, so as to fully understand what they are saying.
3.) Sense your body sensations. Sitting on a yoga mat in a relaxing environment might seemingly be the ideal place for this, yet it can also be done while sitting at your desk with your eyes closed for a few moments or even while you are moving.
For example, if you are on a run and your mind is racing, pay your attention to your feet. Notice how they feel when each one touches the ground and lifts off again. Do you feel the cushion of your shoe or the tightness of your laces? Focus on this for several minutes.
Please be noted that this blog is not intended as a substitute for medical diagnosis or treatment but for educational purposes only. Always consult your doctor before changing your diet, altering your sleep habits or starting a new fitness routine.
