Mindfulness is one of the key foundations of the work I do with my with clients because I’ve seen just how transformative this practice can be. Research also supports the use of mindfulness for both mental and physical health. It can help you manage anxiety and depression, ground you in the present, and even help with medical issues such as blood pressure and the experience of pain.
Practicing mindfulness has the potential to transform negative states into positive ones by allowing you to be fully aware of your thoughts, feelings, and emotions while sitting in the present moment.
This quote from Terry Fralich is another great summary of what mindfulness can be: Mindfulness is a skill-based practice that leads to greater intentionality, awareness, stability of attention, and loving-kindness. Over time, it minimizes negative states and cultivates positive states. Mindfulness is a practice of liberation and connection.
Although “being mindful” is a trendy phrase and might sound vague, there are tangible skills and actionable steps you can take to find your own version. This looks different for everyone. Here are just a few examples of ways to practice mindfulness:
- Breathing exercises
- Journaling
- Meditation
- Yoga
- Mindful walks
- Listening to music
- Practicing connection with your five senses
Sometimes people really resonate with one technique that helps them cultivate mindfulness, while others might use many. What’s helpful to you may shift week to week, and even year to year. As you practice mindfulness, you’ll become even more in touch with what’s helpful for you. The more you practice mindfulness the more in touch with your thoughts, feelings, and emotions you become and you can begin to live a more positive life.
Mindfulness is a therapeutic technique that can not be properly explained or explored in just one blog post. I plan to share detailed breathing techniques I practice in session with my clients in future post and other ways you can begin practicing mindfulness. If this is a technique that you would like to explore further click here to contact me to see if we would be a good fit working together.
