4 Easy Steps to Mindfulness

Feeling stressed?  Do you need something to center you and calm you?  Mindfulness is an awareness of your thoughts, feelings and body to bring you back to a state of acceptance. Mindfulness is simple.  If you would like to implement the benefits of mindfulness in your own life, here are a few easy steps to get you started.

1. Find A Peaceful Place

The first step to mindfulness is finding a place where you can be alone with your mind.  A clean and quiet place in your home or a place with little distraction outdoors will help you center your thoughts.  Take a timer with you so that you don’t need to worry about a stopping point and you can choose a time that fits best with your schedule.

2. Keep Good Posture

Wherever you are sitting, chair, bench, cushion or other, make sure that it offers you support and you are sitting in an upright position with either your legs crossed or your feet planted firmly on the ground.  Don’t hunch over or stiffen your back, just rest comfortably so that your vertebrae are stacked on top of each other and your head can rest at the top of your spine.  Let your arms fall parallel to your body and rest your hands on your thighs or knees, whichever keeps your posture straight.  This will open up your body and your mind.  

3. Use Your Senses

Either close your eyes or choose not to focus on any object around you.  Establish a natural breathing pattern and focus on it if you need to keep your mind free in the beginning.  Notice the world around you but don’t get too caught up in distractions.  Feel your feet against the ground or the wind blowing past your ears.  Notice the way your body feels and let yourself be aware of your surroundings.  

4. Go With the Flow

Any thoughts that come into your mind should pass through your mind without judgement.  Do not stick to one idea or emotion and refrain from getting caught up in past or present daydreaming.  Let the feelings and thoughts flow freely but send them away without emotionally labeling them good or bad, simply a part of you.  Continuously redirect your mind to your present state of being.  Remember your breathing and your surroundings.  

Mindfulness meditation takes some practice but will overall bring you into cognizance.  It will release anxieties and make you a more productive and happy person.  Take a few minutes a day to refocus your mind and accept the simple things that make your life beautiful.  

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