Before you already cringe by just reading ‘mindfulness’ – replace it with ‘awareness’ and keep on reading! After all do we not all want to be more aware, in the moment, less 
stressed but calmer?
My attention was recently drawn to a Mindfulness workshop, 2 hrs information on what it does for you and how you can use it for yourself and children. I was intrigued (and happy to have found something in English). And I was not disappointed, not everything was new to me but the insights, ideas and suggestions were inspiring. And I would like to share my take-outs with you. After all, mindfulness is so much more than just a buzz word! It increases your overall well being, your energy, concentration and supports an overall balanced mindset.
Now, if you think mindfulness does not leave you any space to get stressed out, mad, upset, angry and that everything is always smooth and easy then you are wrong. No, that is not what neither mindfulness nor life is about. We will always encounter situations, happenings that get to us. And it is very important to give what bothers us an outlet, but mindfulness teaches unto reduce the time “of the suffering, of the pain”, to become balanced and to feel at ease more easily again. The more we resist and fight something the longer it stays with us, and it will increase our stress levels. But through awareness we will be able to shorten this unsettling feeling. Mindfulness will teach us to take responsibility, to own our emotions and to accept them, to learn from them and to then let the negative feeling go and to be simply present when needed.
“We can`t always have happiness, but we can learn how to “ride” those situations!”
And especially in today`s times when our mind is in a constant overflow of information it is crucial to find a way to empty the mind, to create space again! Through space we will be able to think clearly, to get creative and inspired again! I think you may agree when I say that most of us often have troubles with following through with our thoughts or ideas, we feel easily overwhelmed and distracted with all what is going on around us. Through mindfulness practises, you will have space to refocus, concentrate and evaluate more clearly again, your mind will have more space again!
And if all this does not convince you then perhaps learning that you can slow down your heart rate through mindfulness and awareness will! After all, inhalation increases and exhalation decreases the heart rate. And feeling more balanced will even out our breathing! A controlled breathing, especially being able to focus on a smooth and long exhalation, slows down our heart rate and will have a positive impact on our overall well being.
I hope you enjoyed these ‘teasers’ on mindfulness. I will follow up soon with some mindfulness activities. But for now I leave you with two free apps that can be downloaded to start your journey to make you mind less full.
Be present and aware in the moment and acknowledge and accept any emotions and feelings, in a non judgmental way!
I suggest to start one of the following for now:
Headspace
Meditation can help improve your focus, exercise mindful awareness, relieve anxiety and reduce stress. Headspace is your very own personal trainer, there to help you train your mind.
and Calm
An app for mindfulness and meditation to bring more clarity, joy and peace to your daily life. Join the millions experiencing less anxiety and better sleep with our guided meditations, breathing programs and Sleep Stories. Recommended by top psychologists and mental health experts to help you de-stress.
I like their “breathe” section where you can really just focus on your in- and exhalation length. I find this very useful for beginners, but as well relaxing for advanced!
Have fun on this journey to make your mind less ful and to become mindful!
Have a lovely day,
AK