Mindfulness is a great platform to support ourselves, our family and especially in the workplace to navigate the daily demands of life.
It gives us the space to reflect rather then be reactive. Over the last few years studies have shown that mindfulness can change the structure of the brain.
Mindfulness can bring a greater blood flow to the cerebral cortex that part of our brain linked to emotions and attention.
Mindfulness can increase of resilience our ability to manage and bounce back in the most challenging situations. By supporting ourselves through mindful practices we can process our emotions rather than blocking them and work through a disappointing situation.
Mindfulness can support our nervous system when in a stress response such as in flight/fright/ freeze. We can bring ourselves to the present moment and move through the overwhelming experience without constant stress response.
Mindfulness also promotes a healthy immunity when our systems are balanced, and we are regularly practicing stress reducing techniques our immunity will be stronger. Chronic stress can lead to illness and effect our overall health.
It can sometimes seem daunting knowing where to start with mindfulness.
The key is to keep it simple start with some daily mindful breathing. Or you can call it a breathing break or brain break.
I love this mindful breathing activity you can do it anywhere its very calming and quickly brings you back to present.
My favourite time to use this one is when we are feeling impatient for example waiting in a long que. Its great for children as they enter a classroom or feel impatience from having to wait while on an outing.
Mindful mountain breath.
1.Standing tall notice your feet touching the earth. Draw your shoulders up to your ears, roll them back and down. Let your arms fall beside you softly. (The perfect posture for breathing)
2.Begin to breath in slowly through the nose all the way down to the bottom of your lungs feel your belly rise, and chest expand (starting to initiate a relaxation response in the body).
3.Pause for a moment
4. Slowly exhale letting your jaw, shoulders relax.
Repeat for 3 to 5 cycles.
Like anything mindfulness is a skill with continued practice it will naturally become part of your daily life.
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