Mindful May Strategies
Mindfulness exercises are a great way to help us relax and focus our mind on living in the present moment. There are so many different exercises we can do. Below is a list of the best exercises that are both simple and very effective. I recommend finding some time to practice one of these during our day.
1. Meditation while walking.
This is my personal favourite. Take a quiet walk in a calm environment and focus your thoughts on yourself and the surroundings. Feel the movement of your steps, the breeze on your skin, and concentrate on the moment. Take your time to let everything else go. Relaxing your mind and thinking positively is the key to this activity.
2. Mindfulness listening.
Take time to listen to every little detail that surrounds you. Sounds such as car noises, birds chirping, machines in operation are simply FILTERED out of our consciousness. When we are mindful we are consciously and deliberately listening to the different sounds in the surrounding environment. We are simply letting sounds flow in our ears while clearing our mind of all thoughts.
3. Mindfulness while breathing deeply.
Breathing is an involuntary body action but when we practice taking and holding deep breaths for two seconds it can become a mindfulness exercise. We have all had times when we get caught up in a situation that’s hard to deal with. Take a deep breath, and in that moment feel the body’s reaction, the expansion of the chest, the cool air inflating your lungs and relaxing. This will help you gather Your thoughts and compose yourself so that you can respond in a more thoughtful and deliberate manner.
4. Appreciating Mother Nature.
Tuning into our natural surroundings and taking a keen interest in every detail of our environment is another form of mindfulness practice. Listening, seeing, feeling and engaging all our body senses in acknowledging the presence of nature all around us is a powerful way to practice mindfulness. Relax your mind and body. Hear the different sounds, see the different colours, feel the rush of wind blowing around you, and the warmth of the sun on your body and take note of the different fragrances in the air. That is all you need to do.
5. Mindfulness practice of imagination.
Imagination is the art of using your insight and visions of different images within your mind. It helps to find an open space with a pleasing outlook to practice this form of mindfulness. Let your eyes see your thoughts clearly. Look at the entire landscape without concentrating on any one specific feature. Allow your imagination to follow the flow of positive thoughts and outcomes. This is a powerful way of converting thoughts and wishes into meaningful actions.
6. Scanning the body.
This technique is best performed lying down on your back or sitting in a comfortable place and remaining totally still during the activity. Take note of your body movements such as noticing the changes while taking breaths, feeling the slight changes, the involuntary reflexes of the body all while remaining as still as possible. Next take note of your body parts such as limbs, joints and skin. Focus your attention on how these body parts feel from your head all the way down to the toes of the feet. This exercise involves both our mind and body.
7. Simple self-meditation.
This style of meditation is about focusing on you. Start by relaxing and making yourself comfortable. Engage your mind in thoughts about yourself such as - What is your character? What makes you unique? What are your values? What do you believe in? This practice requires a lot of concentration to maintain a positive frame of mind. We can too easily slip into self-criticism and negativity. However, when practiced well, this technique is a powerful way of grounding yourself and understanding your true nature.
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