How to calm your mind with mindfulness
Published: 03/05/2024 | Author: Andrea Simons
Our minds are constantly ON, from the moment we open our eyes until the moment we fall asleep at night. Life is stressful, but letting our minds run wild with constant thinking causes even more stress. We are human beings, not human doings. It is time to give ourselves a little space to just be!How to calm your mind with mindfulness
Constant thinking causes stress
Most of us spend our days thinking – analysing problems at work, deciding what to make for dinner and adding things to our mental to-do lists. These are things we need to do, but thinking too much can consume a lot of our mental energy and be a source of chronic stress and anxiety. Stress in turn, can manifest in the body as headaches, back pain, trouble sleeping, and can lead to skin issues and unhealthy behaviours such as emotional eating, smoking and excessive alcohol intake.
So how should we deal with stress?
We all have our different ways of winding down, some healthier than others (ahem). But one method that is loved by experts and health professionals everywhere is mindfulness. Mindfulness is when you consciously focus all your attention on what is happening in the moment by just being and experiencing, rather than thinking or doing, and accepting your experience without judgement.
What are the benefits of mindfulness?
Practising mindfulness can lead to decreased stress and anxiety, increased resilience against stress, sharper focus, improved sleep, and better relationships. People who practise mindfulness meditation have significantly higher levels of self-compassion and overall wellbeing, and less often feel worried or have difficulties with regulating emotions.
How to practice mindfulness in your daily life
If you want to try this out, attempt to focus all your attention on what you’re doing, for example eating, talking to your friends, or doing your skincare routine – and only that! Your to-do list can wait, because right now you are here, in this moment. Here is a short guide to how it works:
Whatever you are doing, slow down, take a few slow deep breaths to calm and centre the mind.Engage your senses and notice each sight, sound, touch, smell, taste to experience the moment fully.When you notice your mind wandering, gently bring your attention back to the sensations of the moment, and practice doing this every time your mind wanders.
Try this out daily for a week and watch your life change!
