I’m excited to be talking about today’s topic because it is something so, so close to my heart, mindfulness. So let’s start off with what is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is simply being aware of the present moment without judgement or shame. It’s enjoying what is happening right now and not worrying about the past or present. It’s allowing feelings to exist without letting them take over. It’s letting thoughts go as easily as they come up. It’s accepting our current circumstances with love.
Mindfulness is really about sitting in this very moment. Right here. Right now. It really is as simple as just being in this moment.
I once had a counsellor who would say that nothing can be wrong if you’re in the present moment, and we can know that’s the truth because we’re there. We’re meant to be there, if we weren’t meant to be there, we wouldn’t be there, so the present moment would always be the most comforting place to be… and we experience the present moment with mindfulness.
I’m not sure I agree with it 100% because I do think there are some things that can be wrong in the present moment if we talk about capital T traumas, such as sexual abuse. But I loved the sentiment and wanted to share it in today’s episode because it may resonate with someone listening!
From a research point of view, mindfulness has been shown to help people manage stress, depression, addiction and anxiety. It has also been shown to help with some health conditions, such as chronic pain.
From a personal point of view, mindfulness changed my life (which is why I utilise mindfulness with all of my clients). I incorporate mindfulness into my day-to-day life by using various tools and techniques. My favourite and most common are meditation, yoga and journaling. But I also love to use mindfulness while in traffic, going for a walk or doing the dishes.
Since I’ve incorporated mindfulness into my day-to-day life, I now:
recognise when anger, stress or anxiety is building up and can actively begin to let it go or stop it before I’m overwhelmed
enjoy the small moments of time with my family, by myself and just in life in general
can go months without needing any pain relief for my chronic back pain
sleep so, so much better (longer hours of sleep and much better quality of sleep)
heal any parts of my past that trigger me in the moment
Mindfulness is a tool that we learn and strengthen over time, it will take a little practise to be able to add it into your day-to-day life, but if you commit to utilising mindfulness, your life will never be the same.
Some people hear 'mindfulness' and think ah shit, something else I should be doing and I get it, but the truth is, it's one of the EASIEST things to slip into your day. There are a billion ways you can practise mindfulness and I will give some examples soon but practising mindfulness isn't about adding more to your to-do list. It's about becoming present in the things you're already doing.
You can become more present in just about any activity by using your senses. For example, you can be present while doing the dishes by feeling the warmth of the water against your skin, smelling the scents of your dishwashing liquid and watching the bubbles pop against the cutlery.
Some of your typical ways to practise mindfulness are:
Meditating
Chanting or using mantras
Mindful eating or driving
But I also wanted to offer up a few not-so-typical ways to practise mindfulness too, because they can be a little more fun for a lot of us:
Watching a candle flicker in a dark room
Opening a window and feeling the warmth of the sun and the wind against your skin
Colouring-in
Notice every single thing touching your skin in that moment
Watch clouds move in the sky
Blow bubbles and watch them pop in the air as they float away
Sit in the shower and feel the water running over your skin
Again guys, mindfulness doesn't need to be something else you add to your to-do list, it can be as simple as being present and aware in the moment.
So many people miss out on happiness in their day-to-day lives because they're too busy rushing around to notice it. They're running from one errand to another. One meeting to another. One appointment to another. One thing to another, always.
They forget to stop and witness the magic around them. The magic in flowers blooming. In children playing. In the smiles of loved ones. In the stories from the elderly. In the clouds moving. In the animals simply being.
What would happen if we all slowed down and were mindful and present? If we all stopped and witnessed the magic within our days? What would we notice that we have never noticed before?
Before we close out today's blog post, I wanted to do a little mindfulness exercise to become aware of the current moment and help you recognise the impact mindfulness can bring in our life. Read through the following practise with an open mind…
Take a few moments to centre.
Today, we will begin to explore more fully the current moment.
Take notice of how you're feeling. Are you taking shallow breaths? Do you feel overwhelmed or stressed? What is coming up for you within your mind, body and soul?
Thoughts, circumstances and situations, even your life itself: they all pass. They all shift, in and out of the moment. In and out of awareness. But, the present does not. The present moment simply is…It is all that is.
When you move into the present, you step back from your mind. Your thoughts slow. You find more space. You become clearer, and more alive. The world becomes more vibrant, more colourful, and more interesting. You may find yourself marvelling at the beauty of whatever is there for you in that moment. It is a sensation that, finally, you are awake. You are alive.
You can become aware of this moment as effortlessly as you can become aware of your breath. Remember: the breath is a symbol. It is a pointer.
Explore now, that sensation to which it points. Centre your awareness on everything that is, right now.
To do this, create a trigger. Tap your thumb to your index finger. When you tap, you centre, reminding yourself, every few seconds, to come back to this moment.
Let this be a reminder to focus. Add a word to help you. Each time you tap, repeat "peace".
Continue this practice, tapping every few seconds.
Remembering, over and over again, the feeling of mindfulness and peace.
After a few moments, release the tap, but continue to focus, continue to centre.
Be here now.
Notice your breath coming in through your lungs and down into your belly.
Notice that same breath arising throughout your body and out through your mouth.
Notice any sensations throughout your body.
Take a final last breath and open your eyes.
How are you feeling now? Are you feeling calmer? Lighter? More centred and grounded? Are you feeling more mindful of your own body, emotions and how you're feeling? If you're not, that's okay, go back and try the practise again, but I'm guessing you're feeling a lot better… and that's the magic of mindfulness.
With love & support,
Shorina | Mindful Soul Collective
Counsellor & Wellbeing Coach
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