What is mindfulness you ask?
Mindfulness means practicing a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing perspective.
Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing, for instance, that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future. It’s almost as though you are witnessing yourself through another lens moment by moment, which helps to be ore proactive and less reactive. It’s a wonderful way to not get caught up in the small stuff of daily frustrations and to truly be awakened to each and every happening.
If you’re keen to try it, here’s a quick guide to mindfulness meditation that if practiced in the mornings, will put you in a minfulness state throughout the day:
1. Find a quiet and comfortable place. Sit in a chair or on the floor with your head, neck, and back straight but not stiff.
2. Try to put aside all thoughts of the past and the future and stay in the present. Take 3 deep inhalations and exhalations and relax your entire body
3. Become aware of your breath, focusing on the sensation of air moving in and out of your lungs as you breathe in and out. Feel your belly rise and fall, and the air enter your nostrils and leave your mouth. Pay attention to the way each breath changes and how each is different.
4. Become aware of every thought that comes and goes, whether it be worry, fear, anxiety or hope. When thoughts come up in your mind, simply note them, remain calm and use your breathing as an anchor.
5. If you find yourself getting carried away in your thoughts, observe where your mind went off to, and bring it back to your breath without judging, and simply return to your breathing. Remember not to be hard on yourself if this happens.
6. As the time comes to a close, sit for a moment, become aware of where you are. Stretch and get up gradually.
BE MINDFUL
with much love
Your Eco Diva Family x
