Mindfulness: How purposeful Awareness can Promote Relaxation, Focus and Creativity
“The present moment is the only time over which we have dominion.”
– Thích Nhất Hạnh
A toddler giggles, an elderly lady smiles, a Cardinal chipping at the neighbor walking to the mailbox. What things do we really notice? Modern times are busy times, most of us may not notice much, but we can change.
Mindfulness is not about moving in slow motion, or the absence of thoughts, but the ability to be fully present and aware of what is going on around us in the moment. The Greater Good Science Center at the University of California Berkeley defines Mindfulness as ‘…Maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment.”
According to a recent JAMA (Journal of American Medical Association) study 60-80% of medical visits have a stress related component. That means stress is affecting us more than we realize. Complimentary and Alternative Medicine (CAMs) protocols like Mind-Body practices can help support the body to deal with stress, improve sleep and focus and even boost our creativity. As and entrepreneur improving focus and creativity can mean more profit in your business.
Here are 3 easy ways you can incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine.
Commuting: When traveling to or from your car or house daily, commit to putting away your phone and notice what is going around you. Listen for the child laughing, the bird singing, or the leaves rustling. Feel the wind or the sun on your skin. Look for the hawk circling overhead or the flower blooming along a sidewalk. Smile, it’s a beautiful world out there.
Eating: Put away your electronics and sit friends and family and connect with your meal. Notice the flavor, feel the textures on your tongue. Look for different colors and shapes in your food. Show gratitude to your nourishment.
Breathing: Set your timer on your phone a few times a day and just sit with your breath. Notice any tension you feel in your body focus your breath to that area to release it. Notice your emotions during the breath. Don’t fight thoughts; just be present in the moment. Your breath sustains you.
You are already breathing, travelling to and from, and eating, why not use these moments to practice Mindfulness so that you can reduce your stress, sleep better and even improve your focus and creativity.
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https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamainternalmedicine/fullarticle/1392494