Are You Living In The Moment?
What is Mindfulness?
In today’s society, we have become accustomed to living in busyness. However, this acceptance can be harmful to our overall health and wellbeing. The old”cliché”about stopping to smell the roses is needed. It’s all about taking to time stop, slow down and enjoy life. Well, while you are trying to figure out that concept, there is a way that we can help ease us into slowing down and living in the moment.
The practice of mindfulness meditation can help improve mental health. When we practice this application, we are allowing ourselves to be in a total awareness state of where we are and what we are doing. The act allows us not to be overwhelmed about our current surroundings but to stop and focus on the now. This is an opportunity to train your brain and allow your awareness to be present. There is nothing tricky about it, basically you just are aware of the moment and give yourself an opportunity to slow down on your reactions.
What are the benefits?
- A better control over emotions
- Improvements in memory
- Improvements in self-awareness
- A decrease in depression and anxiety
- A decrease in negative thinking
- A decrease of physical illness
How can I get started?
- Find a comfortable quiet place to sit. There is no special equipment that is required, just an opportunity to be alone for 5 minutes if possible.
- Time for positioning. Place your hands on your lap, set feet firmly on the floor and sit with back straight and lastly with your chin slightly tucked inward.
- Concentrate on breathing. Close your eyes, take a couple of deep breaths by inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth.
- Pay attention to the moment. Acknowledge any sounds or sensations you are feeling. Continue to inhale and exhale, counting repetitions up to 10 silently. Feel the rise and fall of your chest as you relax.
- Be in the moment. It is normal that your mind will wander off and distracting thoughts may appear, simply come back to the moment as often as you need to.
- Continue to sit quietly for few moments. Afterwards, you may now gently open your eyes. Repeat as needed.
The art of mindfulness or meditation will take some work, especially since we are used to being on the go and subconsciously moving without a thought. We all can incorporate mindfulness meditation in our daily routines just by starting it out in our morning routine, adding scriptures, and when we feel distracted. It may seem awkward in the beginning but if consistency is maintained we can improve our mental health, just remember to stop and smell the roses.
