Reconnecting with Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a great way to calm your thoughts and worries, and ground you to the here and now.
Mindfulness allows you to reconnect with your surroundings and helps you savor what is most important in your life.
Anything can be done mindfully. Start with savoring a hard candy mindfully. Close your eyes and make a blind selection. Take your time with this. Touch and smell. What do you notice? Put it in your mouth and pay attention to the way it feels in your mouth, on your tongue, against your teeth. Pay attention to the flavor, your expectations, and your thoughts or judgments. If you get distracted during this exercise, simply notice the thought and bring yourself back to the exercise. Once you have mastered this one, you can move on to anything else you want to enjoy in the moment.
Mindfulness requires practice
Here are some tips to help you get started:
Take some deep breaths. Breathe in through your nose to a count of 4, hold for 1 second, and then exhale through the mouth to a count of 5. Repeat often.
Enjoy a stroll. As you walk, pay attention to your breath and the sights and sounds around you. If thoughts and worries enter your mind, note them, but then return to the present.
Practice mindful eating. Be aware of the taste, textures, and flavors in each bite. Listen to when your body is hungry and full.
Do a body scan. Bring your attention to how each part of your body is feeling. This can help you connect with your body.
Find mindfulness resources, including online programs and teacher-guided practices.
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