6/20/2023 0 Comments Mindfulness tip of the day![]() ![]() But most of us go, go, go through the entire workday. These breaks only need to be 5-10 minutes. Try to schedule in mindful ‘brain breaks’ every few hours, where you are stepping away from their computers and phone and stopping the input of information. Our brains are overloaded and overwhelmed with information. Whether watching a sunset, sitting by a stream, walking the beach, camping in the bush or even eating your lunch in the garden or park during your workday, make some time each week to leave your phone inside and mindfully connect with the great outdoors. Whatever you call it – forest bathing, ecotherapy, mindfulness in nature, green time or the wilderness cure - humans evolved in the great outdoors, and your brain benefits from spending time in nature. Spending time in nature can help relieve stress and anxiety, improve your mood, and boost feelings of happiness and wellbeing. You’ll be amazed at the difference it makes. Keep a mindful colouring book in your drawer at work or home and pull it out for 10 minutes of colouring every time you feel mentally fatigued or stressed. There’s something about the small, repetitive strokes and use of colour that calms the brain and participants report finding it very hard to think about anything else whilst they are colouring – it really encourages our minds to be present, resting and restoring our mental and emotional energy amid a busy day. Research has shown it can help to lower stress and anxiety, increase focus, enhance creativity and even slow our heart rate. The science world is firmly on board with mindful colouring. Mindful eating is an invitation to slow down – an opportunity to create a positive shift in brain chemistry that leads to physical and emotional health benefits. But also, it creates purposeful space for us in our day to enjoy a mindful moment, giving our busy brains a break from the onslaught of 21st Century Living. There are many benefits of mindful eating, including that we simply enjoy our food more and we can digest the nutrients more efficiently. And bringing our minds back to our food when our thoughts start taking over. Mindful eating is simply paying attention to our present moment experience, whilst being fully attentive and engaged with what we are eating, using all our senses. Many of us eat the same way we do everything else amid a busy day.mindlessly, whilst rushing and probably multitasking. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for our ‘rest, digest and repair’ response, and is where we feel present, calm, relaxed and welcome healing. This slow breath and movement co-ordination stimulates the parasympathetic nervous system. Yoga is more than just movement, it encourages us to be mindful by tuning into our breath as we hold the long, slow poses. Revered for its physical benefits, yoga is now also being recognised for the positive physiological effects this ancient practice has on not just our body, but our minds too. ![]() ![]() This style of mindful breathing sends a signal to our brains that we are safe, switching off ‘fight or flight’ mode when we are stressed. Put your hand on your belly and feel as it inflates and deflates like a balloon. Try taking 10-15 long, slow belly breaths, really extending the exhale. One of the simplest ways to get out of our busy heads and find the present moment is by tuning into our breath. ![]()
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