Have you heard about the concept of mindfulness? It involves being aware of the thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations that you’re experiencing at any given time (this is commonly referred to as “present moment awareness”). Practicing mindfulness offers numerous benefits, including:
- Reduced stress, anxiety, and depression
- Increased sense of well-being
- Enhanced cognitive abilities
- Slowed brain aging
- Lowered blood pressure
- Improved sleep
- Pain management
- Improved quality of life for individuals with chronic conditions
Practicing Mindfulness Every Day
Many people meditate by focusing on their breath—pay attention to how it feels as you inhale and exhale, and whenever you notice that your mind has wandered, acknowledge the distraction as a passing thought and then refocus your attention on your breathing. When you first begin practicing mindfulness, you may be able to do this for only a few minutes, but your sessions will likely get longer over time.
You can incorporate mindfulness techniques into your daily life by practicing present moment awareness when you’re:
- Eating a meal
- Taking a walk
- Commuting to and from work
- Coloring
- Gardening
- Showering
- Lying in bed
- sitting with painful emotions- noticing
If you’re having trouble, you may want to consider downloading an app that will guide you through the meditation process. Or, set some alarms on your phone that will remind you to meditate at certain times throughout the day.
Start Practicing Mindfulness
If you’d like to know more about mindfulness techniques and the benefits of present-moment awareness to help mitigate anxiety and stress, contact me today. I would be happy to schedule a therapy session at a date and time that works for you.
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