Mindfulness and meditation. You see those words on every other magazine or book cover as you pass isles in a bookstore or grocery/pharmacy stores. Why now? Are humans so stressed and out of touch, that we need to be reeled back into reality or at least the present moment?
Mindfulness is defined as maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of thoughts, feelings, bodily sensation, and surrounding environment through a gentle, nurturing lens. Mindfulness could also be defined as living in the NOW or present moment.
Meditation is a practice where an individual uses a technique – such as mindfulness, or focusing their mind on a particular object, thought or activity – to train attention and awareness, and achieve a mentally clear and emotionally calm and stable state
Practicing Mindfulness To Work Through Stress, Anxiety, Depression, Illness and Pain.
Your mind is always racing in constant thought on one topic after another. You seem to be on a mental treadmill, looking for a way to escape the constant pace. Finding a space to sit in solitude and experience quietness or meditate comes to mind. Do you dare take time out and do nothing, so to speak? Guess what? If you don’t learn how to sit and enjoy doing nothing, your health and sanity could be at risk.
Stress, depression, pain, colds, flu and anxiety can all be the result of overstimulating your mind.
Did you know that your greatest accomplishments just might be gotten after taking time “away” from your “busy schedule”? Research shows that mindfulness and meditation can help restructure your brain and lead to better concentration and boost your immune system.
Some have found that using aromatherapy helps in calming their mind as well as helping with better concentration. A diffuser in your home or office can often aid in providing a feeling of calm and tranquility.
All the chatter that goes on in your head can create mental and physical obstacles. These obstacles can cause even more stress to your mind and body.
Learning to Sit Still in Mindfulness Meditation
Learning to sit still and meditate is one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to do. The only place I can actually sit still and do nothing is at the beach sitting on the terrace of my hotel room enjoying the view of the ocean. I can actually fall asleep and enjoy the breeze. Some will say that falling asleep is not meditating. And while this might be true, at least I’m sitting still and resting.
Did you know that schools are introducing mindfulness and meditation into the class rooms? Yoga is probably the best known form of meditation. A former pre-school teacher in San Francisco, used yoga for personal stress relief. She began to implement mind body practice into her classroom by leading group breathing exercises.
She found that her students became incredibly engaged and better able to focus. Now her organization offers a 200 hour certification designed for educators to use when needed within their classrooms and community buildings. Her program is one of many used in school to aid students and help them work through their days.
Yoga is not just for schools and ashrams. The military, businesses and even prisons are using yoga and mindfulness to work through some of the stress, anxiety and depression faced in our daily lives.
Mindfulness and Meditation Practiced Through Motion
Yoga isn’t the only way to find tranquility and peace. Moving meditations such as tai chi, a walk in the park or a slow paced swim, can work wonders in helping you slow your pace.
For those of you that work inside buildings on a daily basis, the next time you find yourself anxious, stressed or overtaxed … Breathe … begin to move at a slow pace and find an exit into a fresh air space.
Find your calm by walking slowly for about 15 minutes. You can consider it a break. It will allow you to refocus and gain your composure.
Finding Mindfulness …
This phrase “Finding Mindfulness” is a new term given to an old practice. The practice of sitting still. Some would say it’s a way of expressing gratitude, for others it’s quiet prayer. However you describe and use the term, the key is to do it. Find Mindfulness, find a time to sit and be. Your health and peace of mind could depend on it.
That’s it for this week. As always …
Dedicated To Your Beauty
Juliette Samuel
Esthetician/Author/Publisher
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