Stress Awareness Week - Mindfulness 🌻

Rachel_Scope

Mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment and observing your thoughts and feelings without judgment. It can be a powerful tool for managing stress and enhancing overall well-being. Here are some mindfulness techniques you can incorporate into your daily routine:

Deep Breathing Deep breathing is a simple yet effective mindfulness technique. Focus on taking slow, deep breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling through your mouth. Pay attention to the sensation of your breath entering and leaving your body. This practice can help calm your mind and reduce stress.

Body Scan The body scan involves paying attention to different parts of your body, from head to toe. Lie down or sit comfortably and focus on each area, noticing any sensations, tension, or discomfort. This technique can help you become more aware of your physical state and promote relaxation.

Guided Meditation
Guided meditation involves listening to a recording or following instructions from a meditation teacher. These sessions often focus on relaxation, visualisation, or specific themes. Guided meditation can be a helpful way to start your mindfulness practice, as it provides structure and guidance.

Mindful Eating
Mindful eating encourages you to pay attention to the experience of eating. Focus on the taste, texture, and smell of your food, and eat slowly to savour each bite. This practice can help you develop a healthier relationship with food and reduce stress related to eating habits.

Have you tried mindfulness before? What was your experience?

If you've never tried it, which of these techniques might you use?

SmellyBin

To deal with moments of despair I started meditating fifteen years ago, and I have been practicing mindfulness for ten. For me mindfulness is observing my thoughts and senses, accepting that life is hard being a chronic. I am still learning - life is far from easy, mostly to let go of expectations regarding who I am.

I think mindfulness and meditation can be helpful for everyone, but especially for those who are dealing with disabilities and/or chronic pain or illness. It would be nice to meet others here to discuss this.

If you are interested, but don't know where to start: check out Vidyamala (OBE) online or books by Toni Bernhard.
And if you are into this already, I would love to read about your fav books, teachers, etc.

Also: yesterday the Anxiety Relief Challenge on Insight Timer started.

SmellyBin