Mindfulness

How many times a day do you feel stressed or like your temper is rising? During a car journey to school recently my son said to me. “Mummy I want you to add up all the times you get cross throughout the day today”. He then said. “You know Mummy, you always tell me anger doesn’t help anything” and he was right. This was just after a car had jumped in front of me causing me to brake hard, so I had let out a few choice words.

Stress can lead to anger which can lead to even more stress. Instead of trying to eliminate either we should try and find strategies to cope with these emotions and manage the situations we find ourselves in. The trouble is, stressful situations are everywhere. Our lives are busy and hectic and full to the brim of rushing around from here to there.

How does your day start? Running late on the school run, then busy traffic on the way to work! Add to this the every bill you have is going up and the news is full of depressing stories. Filling up your car is the price of a small mortgage and the dog needs to see the vet too?! Maybe your boss just called and wants to see you for a “chat” and oh there is a war raging too!

One thing which can help reduce the stress and give you back some control is practicing mindfulness.

What is mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.

Mindfulness is a quality that every human being already possesses, it’s not something you have to conjure up, you just have to learn how to access it.

Many recent studies have shown that mindfulness can help improve focus, reduce anxiety, it’s said it can help treat heart disease, lower blood pressure, reduce chronic pain, improve sleep, and alleviate gastrointestinal difficulties.

Stress is a key area where the evidence is particularly convincing. In one landmark study, researchers at Emory University gave volunteers an eight-week course of mindfulness training, then showed them upsetting photos to see how they responded. The result? A significant lowering of activity in the amygdala, the part of the brain that triggers the freeze- fight-or-flight response. I am a great believer in the power of the mind and am excited for the future when we start to unravel how powerful our minds our in relation to our physical wellness.

So how do I get started being more mindful?

Start off very gently at first to see how mindfulness can benefit you with a short 5 minute meditation. This type of short practice is designed to reduce stress, anxiety, and negative emotions, cool yourself down when your temper flares, and sharpen your concentration skills. mindful.org has a great 5 minute beginners session.

Try this perhaps during your lunch break. A quick 5 minutes on a park bench in the sunshine will do wonders for reducing our cortisol levels and calming our bodies. Pop your headphones on and relax. Maybe at home would be better? I try to do a regular meditation and also pop on a face pack at the same time to make use of the time I have when slowing down for 5 minutes.

I hope you find it as relaxing as I do to take those few minutes and regroup and hope no one else cut’s me up while driving! One two three and breathe….

If you would like to know more about me join my mailing list at www.sarahstannard.com