How can Mindfulness help me?

What does mindfulness mean to you? Please take 5 minutes to make some notes on this question...

Mindfulness is the awareness of what you are feeling in the present moment without feeling stressed or overwhelmed by what is happening around you. There are many ways that you can start to bring mindfulness into your daily life and the benefits are amazing. Mindfulness is stopping and acknowledging what is going on at a particular moment such as what are you hearing, what are you seeing, how are you feeling, what textures feel like and how are you breathing...

There are a few benefits that mindfulness can support such as helping with dealing with the overwhelming situations that create stress, anxiety and which in turn can lead to depression. It brings a sense of self awareness. It can help you handle conflicting situations more effectively. Mindfulness can help with weight management, sports performance, addictive behaviours and habits. It can also support your immune system and help inflammation in the times when we get run down and over do things. Relationships have seen improvement when practicing mindfulness and self-compassion.

What kinds of practices can you start to incorporate into your every day?

• Find a quiet space to practice mindfulness

• Focus on your breathing in a slow and calculated way

• Body scan meditation

• Sitting meditation

• Walking meditation - become aware of the movements of your body and what your surroundings are

• Eating - taking your time to eat and really enjoy your food, how does it taste, smell and what this meal is bringing to you

More practice will help with the focus on the present moment and less thoughts of stress and the past and future. Set aside time every day in your schedule and be compassionate and patient with yourself.

There are a few apps and resources to help. Have a google and a look around. I'd love to hear what you discover on your mindfulness journey.

xxx