March 16, 2022
Events | Mental Health | Wellness
Your alarm sounds and autopilot kicks in. You get out of bed, put on a pot of coffee, jump in the shower, get dressed, grab a bite to eat as you hurry to start your work day. You get into a flow, working through your endless to-do list, relying on coffee to keep your battery charged. Doing everything you can to feel good about being devoted to “the job”. At the end of the day, when it’s time to check out, you feel too mentally exhausted to do anything that fills you up before you fall asleep and do it all over again tomorrow.
Let’s take a second to think about this. Our current state of navigating constant change and uncertainty has left us feeling consumed and stressed by expectations we’re supposed to live up to. Simply making it through the day feels like an achievement in itself.
Do you experience this kind of reality? How do you shift to bringing life and purpose back into your days? By giving attention to self. Mindful moments allow us to channel productivity and progress in the direction of wellbeing, by focusing on small, present moments of time, versus adding another thing to your to-do list.
Ask yourself this question, what do I want to experience today? If your answer is calm, peace, quiet, and de-escalation, then these precious moments called mindfulness are for you. Now ask yourself, am I open to something new, different and enlightening? If your answer is yes, then light up your day today with a little something for yourself that will only cost you moments. Here’s how we do it.
Take some time to think about what you truly enjoy, you can make a list or just apply thought. (examples: sunshine, music, favorite colors, scents, sports)
Reflect on what your day-to-day is like, and come up with the best time or way to have your mindful moments. (examples: mornings before starting your day, before bed, during a lunch break).
Then begin. At your desired time, intentionally bring into thought that which you enjoy. Allow yourself to be in a comfortable or stable position whether standing or sitting. Visualize this or physically look at it, touch, taste or smell, depending on what it is. Allow yourself to dwell upon it, notice its nuance with direct attention. Does it shine, is it soft, is it cold or warm?
As you engage that favorite color, melody of sound, calming scent, allow yourself to breathe, noticing the inhale and exhale while engaging something that brings subtle joy and feels good. Just for a moment, allow the presence of subtle joy and breath.
The more we do this, the better we get at receiving calm. Quieting the constant chatter of our thoughts and dimming the escalation of the hustle and bustle of our environments. Instead of rushing back to your to-do list, take a pause to experience calm and quiet. Finding the joy in present moments, appreciating the little things.
Give yourself this stop, this pause, as often as you can throughout the day and allow it to grow into your personal feel good moments.
Need Help Developing Your Mindfulness Practice?
Join us for Meditation Off The Mat, where you’ll learn to bring meditative moments into your day-to-day, no mat, fancy poses, or app required!