Why Mindfulness?
Mindfulness and its practice of the mind and body connection has become increasingly popular and more widely studied as scientific proof of its healing benefits have emerged. Originally a Buddhist concept discovered 2600 years ago, scientists have discovered that mindfulness can greatly assist in modern day healing. Mindfulness techniques can extremely beneficial in decreasing the onset of migraines, panic attacks and stress as well as help to treat heart disease, improve sleep, lower blood pressure and reduce chronic pain.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is simply the idea that you can be conscious of your thoughts without judgment.
In other words, mindfulness is the ability to accept your thoughts, feelings, urges and the physical sensations in your body consciously and calmly. It’s focusing one’s attention in the present moment no matter the weight or velocity in which these thoughts, feelings and sensations are flowing.
How to Identify Thoughts, Feelings, Urges and Sensations:
If you sit quietly you may notice feelings of excitement or overwhelm start to emerge. This is your brain scanning and preparing for danger, it’s what your primitive brain does. It’s trying to keep you safe. When danger presented itself hundreds of years ago, these mind to body sensations helped us to hunt, gather and protect our wellbeing. However, in today’s society we don’t exercise the same survival skills that our ancestors did. Because we don’t have an immediate need for these mind to body manifestations, it is important to notice where your mind is starting to present itself in your physical body. Evidence of this may be:
Sensations: Tightening in the jaw, tensing of the shoulders or tightening of the chest. Even gastrointestinal sensations or tingling in the arms and legs may occur.
Urges: Cravings and urges for sugar, salt, alcohol, tobacco as well as prescription drugs like xanax.
Emotions: Manic or intense feelings of anger, joy, frustration or sadness.
Heightened Senses: Increased focus on background noise, light and smells.
Practice agency over your consciousness can help to decrease the physical stressors our mind creates in our bodies. It is important to take a breath and bring your focus back to the present. Focus on the present and start to do a conscious scan of your body from head to toe, becoming aware. Recognize what happening without judgment of your thoughts, feelings, sensations and urges and let them flow through you. Allowing these emotions to pass through your body without resistance while focusing on your breath will help to extinguish them. Don’t ignore the feelings, feelings are ok, let the physical effects pass and regain control the mind. Simply, becoming aware and accepting our thoughts is the first step to practicing mindfulness and a healthier life.
Next: How to Practice Mindfulness in Four Easy Steps
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