June 12
Check in
What is Mindfulness?
So far on Decompress, we’ve mentioned the word ‘mindfulness’ a lot. But maybe some of you are wondering: what exactly is mindfulness?
Mindfulness can be described as being aware and accepting of our present thoughts, emotions, surroundings, and events that are happening to us. With mindfulness, we learn to stay in the present rather than dwelling on the past or future. It's an ability that we already possess; we just need to learn how to get there again.
Headspace describes the calm we seek as the “blue sky” that’s always there, but just hidden behind a few clouds.
Remember the Blue Sky - Headspace
Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56c1uL_O8Jk
Content Belongs to Headspace: https://www.headspace.com/
Here are your check in questions for today:
How are you feeling right now?
What are you thinking at this moment? Is it something from right now? Or the future or past?
How is it affecting your mood?
What or who am I grateful for today?
Mindfulness Resources and Tips
Below, you can find videos and links for different aspects and challenges of meditation and mindfulness.
You don’t have to do them all; pick and choose the ones that you think are best for you.
Five Minute Mindful Breathing
Content Belongs to Epworth Health Care: https://www.youtube.com/user/EpworthHealthCare
Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I-SFdhVwrVA&t=14s
Meditating with Anxiety
It’s hard not to get caught up in our thoughts when they are causing too much stress in one moment. Here are some helpful tips on how to meditate with anxiety.
Controlled breathing can help reduce feelings of anxiety. Try this five minute video from Epworth Health Care.
Why isn’t it working?
Sometimes we can feel a bit lost or worried when we don’t see immediate improvements in our meditation. This video can help you understand and calm your fears.
Meditation tips | Why isn’t it working?
Direct Link to Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R8eZrrlEugI
Content Belongs to Headspace: https://www.headspace.com/
Non-meditation mindfulness exercises
photo by Jeremy Bishop (Unsplash)
Five Senses Exercise
The goal of this mindfulness exercise is to shift your focus from your thoughts to your surrounding environment. It is helpful for grounding yourself when you get too carried away in your thoughts.
photo by Harli Marten (Unsplash)
Other Mindful Techniques
Sitting still during meditation just doesn’t work for some people. Here are some other activities you can try to stay mindful throughout your day:
Mindful eating: having an awareness of your food and eating rather than be distracted by your phone, TV, or book while you eat
Yoga: Yoga can help with stress because it combines awareness of the body, controlled breathing, and exercise all of which are keys to reducing stress and anxiety.
Mindful conversations: It’s not easy to shut off the running, sometimes judgmental, commentary in the back of our mind when we’re talking with someone. Mindful communication involves learning how to be open and aware of the conversation, being present, and setting a good intention to avoid judgment. I think this article can help elucidate what it means to have mindful conversations.