With the everyday hustle and bustle consuming us more than ever, it's easy to feel busy yet not actually productive. The same can be said for our health; there is more information, gyms, workouts online, videos, bootcamps available to us yet as a county Australia is unhealthier than ever. We start a new diet or program, get overcome with all the information and sheer stress of the extra load onto our lives, break down and become even worse than before.
They key is to learn the principles of mindfulness and learning to become aware of the present moment.
Key Benefits:
Relieve stress, treat heart disease by lowering cortisol levels, lower blood pressure, improve sleep, increase productivity, improve structure of day, being truly present in key situations.
What is Mindfulness:
Mindfulness is the psychological process of purposely bringing one's attention to experiences occurring in the present moment without judgement, which one can develop through the practice of meditation and through other training.
What are the key aspects of Mindfulness?
Intention: what do you wish to gain from practicing mindfulness?
Attention: gaining a greater perspective to what's going on around you
Attitude: paying attention to certain attitudes or emotions you and the people around you feel.
How do I start being mindful?
Becoming mindful or practicing mindfulness activities can be diverse and individual as to what works best for the person. One key activity is to create a space or a time where no outside distractions can occur. Within this space or time, the individual has the time to process all of the day's issues, thoughts, things to do etc in a calm rational environment. The key to this time is to look at these thoughts objectively, not letting these thoughts become feelings or emotive states. The ability to detach from these thoughts and look at the best possible solution or way to move forward. Entering a meditative state, using deep breathing exercises, physical exercise such as running or lifting weights, walking along the beach, lying under a tree in the sun are all perfect ways to enter this "mental calm" state.
Having a morning routine is a perfect example of creating a mindful space: writing your daily to-do list, your intentions for the day, the things you are grateful for in life, all create perspective for what will occur in the next 24hrs. Exercising early will get blood flowing to the brain and around the body, releasing endorphins that also make us "feel good"
By using these spaces or times, we can progressively work through the situations that confront us daily and enable us to find clarity to continue moving forward.
*Disclaimer: Individual results vary based on agreed goals. Click here for details.
