Is Your Mind Full or Mindful??
We live in a day and age of virtual learning, scanning, shopping, researching, gaming, videos, social media and countless other activities on the internet, it is no wonder our minds are overloaded with “stuff”. It is hard not to notice people today looking at their phones continually. At the airport, in their cars at a stop light, restaurants, walking down the street, on a golf cart. In fact, many people look at their phones first thing in the morning before they go to the bathroom. Modern people are in the age of information and some people have called it the age of information overload. This is unprecedented in the history of humanity and some would agree not necessarily a good thing. Our brains are slow to change and are simply not wired to handle this much information. Our minds are so full and scattered that it stresses the neurological system. There is some research to suggest that our mind can think up to 60,000 thoughts per day. Whew!! We used to think that multitasking was good, but now research shows that it is much healthier to perform a task with intention and attention and do it well. Slowing down and paying attention to the moment at hand. Our minds are full, but few of us are mindful and able to live in the present moment- the only moment that truly matters.
Mindfulness is a training of the mind that can enhance wellbeing, decrease stress levels, and promote healthier lifestyle choices. Mindfulness is the self-regulation of attention with an attitude of awareness, curiosity, openness and acceptance. It is the idea of learning how to be fully present and engaged in the moment, aware of your thoughts and feelings without judgment. Mindfulness teaches the mind/brain to slow down, pay attention, be present. It is a gift of self-love. When we start incorporating this gift of a presence or mindfulness into our daily lives we reduce can stress and increase endorphins and feelings of wellbeing. We are equipped to make better decisions and to be open to our lives in healthier ways. We cannot change some circumstances, but we can all change our reaction or response to those circumstances.
There are many types of mindfulness, perhaps the easiest is simply paying attention to the breath. Breathe slowly in and out through the nose 5 X and simply notice how you feel. Yoga and Tai chi are wondeful ways to slow down and practice being mindful. There are many books, articles and published journals on the benefits of mindfulness. Palouse Mindfulness offers a free online 8-week course on mindfulness training that is based on the program founded by Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction or MBSR. There are dozens of published evidenced-based medical articles on the efficacy of mindfulness and benefits to human health. Please visit palousemindfulness.com, and began your journey toward better health today.
Luna Therapy
A Better You- Today
