Mindfulness in Practice
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Mindfulness is the practice of actively choosing to pay attention to the present moment with openness, curiosity, and without judgment. It helps us control those pesky negative thoughts that constantly pass through our minds. Mindfulness has gained popularity for its impact on self-awareness and stress reduction.
One very simple way to practice mindfulness is to check in and focus on what our five senses are experiencing.
For example, a common mindfulness practice involves focusing on the breath. You can close your eyes and focus on slowly breathing in and out, being aware of how this feels in different parts of your body.
Alternatively, you can focus on the sense of touch. Here’s a simple exercise:
- Start with your hands about shoulder-width apart and clap them together firmly.
- Return them to their original positions apart from each other.
- Repeat this clap three times.
- Close your eyes and pay attention to what you feel in your hands and fingers for 30 seconds.
There are countless ways to apply mindfulness in our everyday lives.
Need help getting started? Try a guided meditation online or through an app. For instance, you can try this “Body Scan” meditation before bed to help prepare you for a good night’s sleep!
