Mindfulness is an important state of being to strive for at all times. Mindfulness means being fully present in the moment, not projecting yourself into anticipated future fears or dwelling too much on any past disappointments.

There are many benefits to practicing mindfulness, one of which is staying focused on reaching your goals for creating better health, both physically and mentally/psychologically.

When we are not mindful, we are often:

• Disengaged from the people we care about, too preoccupied with anxious thoughts
• Impatient with others and with circumstances outside our control (a red traffic light, for example, or some other inevitable delay).
• Ineffective breathers. Focusing on your breath and breathing deeply brings greater calm and is important for maintaining better health.

Becoming mindful is an essential ingredient for learning how to manage stress. Here are three techniques you can use to make being mindful come more naturally to you:

Practice walking meditation

Besides the numerous health benefits of walking, meditating while you walk helps you relax and remain grounded. Being mindful while you walk means taking note of your surroundings, observing details keenly. This visual awareness helps you to really see and appreciate what is right in front of you.

Do regular deep breathing exercises

Learning a set of structured exercises that are designed to promote better health will help you learn to relax at will when necessary. Breathing, like mindfulness, is an essential component of learning how to manage stress, and the two promote each other.

Meditate using sound

Simple ambient sounds – a public water fountain, bird calls, general sounds in your street – can be used to practice mindfulness. As you listen intently and give every sound your undivided attention, other cares slip into the background for a while.
Do you need wellness mentoring to help you progress towards being mindful? Contact Doctor Allie to book an appointment.