Mindfulness

Life can truly keep us on our toes! We can become so consumed with day-to-day living that we may neglect to center ourselves and be mindful of our thoughts, emotions, and surroundings at the present moment. Recently, I became more aware of the importance of participating in mindfulness exercises consistently.  Oxford Dictionary defines mindfulness as "a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while acknowledging one's feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique."  These exercises can be completed within just a few minutes in the comfort of your home or wherever you are.

 

There are several mindfulness techniques that you can incorporate into your self-care routine. Feel free to google which exercises are more suitable for you. Below are just a few standard techniques that you can consider:

 (Close your eyes, breathe normally, clear your mind and focus on your breath coming into and leaving your body)

Wherever you are, notice 3-5 things that you can see, notice three things that you can feel, notice three things you can hear, notice two things you can smell, notice one thing you can taste.

Try putting your phone away and out of reach for a few minutes and tune out any distractions. Notice what happens (if anything). More importantly, focus on the present moment (without your phone).