Mindfulness

Mindfulness seems to be the new buzz word when it comes to mental health. So what does it actually mean? Not to mention, what are some tips to becoming more mindful when one is already trying to be a better person, employee, family member and also trying to remember to drink water and get 8 hours of rest? 

Being ‘mindful’ includes being more aware of what is happening in the present moment without being concerned with outside judgment. You can become more mindful through meditation, yoga or other body scanning techniques. Reconnecting with your body by noticing what’s happening in your mind, body, and surroundings as well as paying attention to how your emotions affect your behavior and taking time to appreciate sensations such as tastes, smells and sounds. 

Here are a few ways to become more mindful:

Set Aside Time for Meditation. Try setting your alarm a few minutes earlier to keep your from having to jolt out of your bed. Give yourself some time to fully wake up and be aware of your surroundings. This doesn’t require any tools, just a quiet place.  Committing to specific times to focus solely on yourself will help set you up for a more mindful day.

Be Kind to Yourself

In a world where we only see people share their highlights, we can be hard when looking back at ourselves. When you find yourself being harsh and judgmental, remember instead you can use this as a moment of growth. Treat yourself with kindness while trying to determine how to best react if you find yourself in that position again in the future.

Ground (Anchor) Yourself in the Present Moment

Including mindfulness in everyday activities can help calm and lessen your stress but moments of anxiety may still occur. In those times, turn to our “Anchor Yourself” techniques. These techniques can be found in each newsletter as well as our social media pages. 

By incorporating a few of these mindfulness techniques in everyday moments, you will begin to feel calmer, less stressed, prevent depression, help you be kinder to yourself, cope with intrusive thoughts and be more self-aware. We at Anchor Minds would love to help you get started on a more mindful path. You can get started here.