Tag: mindfulness

Mindfulness Breathing Meditation

Published on by andycandypants4 Comments

By focusing on the breath you become aware of the mind’s tendency to jump from one thing to another. The simple discipline of concentration brings us back to the present moment

The purpose of this exercise is to simply notice, accept and be aware of your breath, it’s bringing you back into the moment. As well as this, the mindfulness of breathing is a good antidote to restlessness and anxiety, and a good way to relax: concentration on the breath has a positive effect on your entire physical and mental state.

Sit quietly in a chair with both feet on the ground and your hands in your lap. Close your eyes, if it feels comfortable. If not, soften your gaze. Allow yourself to feel centred in the chair. Bring your attention to the present moment by noticing how you’re feeling physically. Scan your body from head to toe and consciously try to let any tension slip away. Take a moment to notice your environment – any sounds you might hear in the background, what the temperature feels like in the room.Bring all of your attention to the physical act of breathing. Start to notice the breath as it enters your body through your nose and travels to your lungs. After the out-breath you count one, then you breathe in and out and count two, and so on up to ten, and then you start again at one.

Don’t try to do anything with your breathing – simply notice it, pay attention to it and be aware of it.  Each time your mind wanders away from the breath (and this will happen many times!), notice where it goes and then gently bring your attention back to the feeling of the breath going in and out.

Start of by just doing a few minutes , set a timer for 5 minutes (Eventually work your way up to 10, 15 then 30 minutes). When the meditation has ended, take a few moments to yourself, just to really feel connected with the present moment. Expand your awareness from the breath into the room around you, and as you feel comfortable to do so, open your eyes and bring the exercise to a close.

Take a few moments to think about what your experience was in this exercise, and how you feel in the present moment. Journal and take notes on how you feel, and compare your notes at the end of the week, and you can not only feel it, but you will be able to reflect and see the difference.

 

Mindfulness Monday…

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The Happiness Project…..

Day 1.

Today is the first day of my mini happiness adventure, and an optimistic attitude is the first tool you need to tackle change. So today let me introduce you to Mindfulness, the ancient practice of focusing a non judgmental awareness on the present moment is a great place to start.

Mindfulness is a great mind exercises that allow you to be able to identify, permit and reduce any painful, fearful and difficult thoughts, sensations  and feelings. Trying to shift these personal experiences, feelings and thoughts to that of a positive mind-set, try asking yourself what-if questions, such as,

“What if life is working on my behalf?”

“What if this is a blessing in disguise?”.

“What if I believe things are going to get better?”

“What if this crisis is the best wake-up call I ever got?”Looking at change this way will make it seem less scary because you’re focusing your mind on positive outcome. Mindfulness gives you back some sense of mastery over your thoughts and feelings. Rather than having the sense that you are being pushed around by the universe or your feelings and thoughts you can learn to be able to have some control over them. So seeing the positive in what seems like a negative will you can actually rewire your mind to think more optimistically.

Mindfulness can…

Increases Positive Emotions .

Decreases Depression.

Decreases Anxiety .

Decreases Stress.

Today, go to a cafe, sit at the beach or go somewhere you love and feel good to be at, and write down things that have upset you, hurt you, any difficult situations or people and really reflect, look at things from an outside point of view, non emotional and non bias view and write ONE or more positive “What If’s”.

So for me, last year i seemed to meet really great guys, but it never worked out, i thought i was not good enough or why can’t i every find love and be happy?”

” What if he wasn’t the man for me, and the universe was making me, emotionally free and single, so that the right man to come into my life, and i will be drama and stress-free and happy” .

So today i really looked back on the relationships… And as much as i hated to admit it, as much as they where great guys… they were not the great guy for me..

Today i will also use mindfulness in little bumps in my day ( hopefully I don’t ) but  instead of getting mad, or upset i will stop myself, take 3 deep breaths , affirm to myself ” its going to be ok, you have survived a lot worse, smile this will all pass quickly”

Good luck today,

By Andy Jackman xx