Mindfulness is the practice of intentionally bringing our attention to the present moment. Mindfulness allows you to be fully present in your life and has immense physical and mental health benefits.
Practicing mindfulness involves so many different types of exercises. The following practices will help to center, focus and help reduce stress.
Breath awareness is simply bringing attention and noticing your breath. From the cadence of your breath, the sensations, and flow, it provides a focus and often calming effect.
Sitting meditation is one of the most well known mindfulness exercises. In sitting meditation attention is brought to the breath, body sensations and thoughts that arise. Observe without judgement.
Body scan is an effective mindfulness meditation practice. The purpose is to tune in to your body and reconnect to your physical self and notice any sensations you're feeling without judgement.
Mindful eating is being attentive and noticing the senses while you prepare and enjoy food. It allows you to be fully present and purposeful while eating.
When practicing loving kindness meditation, loving energy is focused towards yourself and others. It can be a great practice to create compassion, empathy and equinamity.
In this practice, you focus on offering gentle and supportive thoughts toward yourself. Difficult feelings and thoughts are acknowledged and met without judgement while cultivating forgiveness and acceptance.
This mindfulness practice focuses on reflecting on the things and people in our lives that we are grateful for. It can be done via sitting, journaling, guided meditation and more.