Practising Mindfulness
Understanding what “practising mindfulness” even means is a first step towards being successful in applying it to our own lives. Mindfulness is learning to focus on being in the present moment. Meditation through techniques such as guided imagery and breathing is one method, but there are many ways to incorporate mindfulness into our daily lives without having to carve out extra time for meditation. Practising mindfulness can help us to relax, reduce stress, and gain new focus and appreciation for living in the moment. Creating habits and making them a part of each day can be a great way to deal with feelings of stress or anxiety.
Life is distracting, especially these days with all of the buzz associated with the digital age. Initially, it can be an effort to pull your mind inward and focus on the moment, but there are many ways to focus on the present in our daily lives.
Breathing-
Take a few moments to focus completely on breathing in and out. Feel your body move with each breath. Use each breath to anchor your thoughts and keep your attention on your breathing. Try this a few times a day, tune in to your breathing, take a few deep breaths, and clear all the noise and clutter from your mind for those moments. There are some lovely, quiet outdoor sitting areas around Treeview to try this.
Gratitude-
No matter what is happening around us, there are always things we can be grateful for. Focus your attention on the positive things in your life. An attitude of gratitude can keep the good at the forefront of your thoughts. Look for productive, healthy outlets, like exercise or time outdoors, stepping away from the TV or computer. Treeview’s common gardens and the Lithgow region offers plenty of opportunities to make the most of the great outdoors.
Self Awareness-
Your body is a magnificent machine, constantly working away in the background, and most of us never give it a thought. Try being mindful of your body, in the moment, no matter what you’re doing. Take note of your senses. If you’re washing dishes, feel the water and smell the soap. If you’re with family, practice active listening, really hear what they’re saying to you and connect to them. If you’re trying to sleep, focus on relaxing your entire body, starting with your toes all the way up to your nose. You can even practice mindful eating, truly tasting and savouring each bite, appreciate the colours on your plate. Heading outside? That’s right….stop and smell the roses! And at Treeview, we have plenty of rose gardens.
Meditation-
Carving out time for ourselves is important. Even just 15 to 20 minutes a day of solitude and meditation can benefit your overall health and well-being. Studies show that just eight weeks of regular meditation can actually alter your brain. It doesn’t have to be every day, and you can work your way up, starting with short periods of time until you become more adept at what works for you. There are some great apps that can help guide you through the process, such as Headspace or Calm.
Treeview Village offers a beautiful setting and a positive environment that makes it easy for our residents to focus on being in the moment. Being more mindful and focused on the present can improve your level of happiness, your relationships, your sleep habits, and more!