Actioning Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the simple concept of focusing your awareness on the present moment while gently acknowledging and accepting your feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations. It’s a concept that when actioned can have profound positive impacts on your life mentally, physically and emotionally.

So how do we bring mindfulness into our everyday life? Here are some simple strategies to get started.

Mindful Eating

When we eat mindfully, we are more aware of what we are putting in our body as well as how hungry or full we really are. Before your next meal, check in with yourself and ask “how hungry am I?” turn off any distractions, eat slowly, chew thoroughly, savour each bite and stop eating when you are full. Slow down and hold your awareness with your bodily cues.

Mindful Housework

Rather than seeing housework as a chore, why not see it as an opportunity to practice mindfulness and view it as a self-care activity

Yes, I know, that’s a hard sell but give it a go anyway

An easy place to start might be cleaning out your wardrobe Go through each item and notice how they make you feel Acknowledge items you perhaps should not have purchased or kept as long as you have and notice how it feels to donate those items. Notice how it feels to create more space.

Mindful Emotions

Emotions happen and you can’t stop them, but by using mindfulness you can allow feelings to flow through you and let them go –the more you do it the quicker and easier it becomes!

Next time a big emotion hits take a moment to pause and breathe deeply. Observe what’s happening in your body and be curious about those sensations without judging them. Finally acknowledge the emotions exist by perhaps saying ‘I see you stress.’

Curious about my 8-week mindfulness based therapy program? Send me an email to thekindnesscouch@gmail.com