Being Mindful…What Does This Mean to Me?
We all tend to get caught up in the fast pace of daily life, particularly at this busy time of year, rushing from one place to the next, entertaining and contemplating countless thoughts and decisions that need to be made, and worrying about what we are supposed to be doing next. How often do we stop and pay attention to how well we are taking care of ourselves, or to what we are doing in a single moment?
Mindfulness helps us to stay focused on one thing at a time, and helps us to come back to the present when our thinking is caught up in the past or future. The next time you find yourself feeling overwhelmed with too many thoughts or concerns, take a moment to catch your breath and try the following:
Noticing Exercise:
- Name 3 things you see and describe them with detail.
- Identify 3 things that you hear.
- Feel 3 things around you (not emotionally, but what you can actually feel with your senses).
When was the last time you stopped and looked at the food you were eating, and paid attention to its texture, shape, size, smell and the actual experience of slowing down and appreciating it? So what is the point? It is a way for us to pay attention to things on purpose that we typically take for granted. This in turn, creates a whole new experience and allows us and our minds, to slow down and be present.
Check out this link to a mindful eating exercise!
