When stressed, whether it’s anxiety, depression, or worry, one of the things people notice is that their attention begins to dissipate. When attention gets hijacked, focusing on the task at hand becomes difficult and the ability to concentrate vanishes. Mindfulness has been proven to increase attention, creativity, and help with emotional regulation.
Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.
Try it out!
Set aside 5 minutes to focus on your breath and the present moment. Follow these steps or listen to a
guided meditation
.
- Find a relaxed, seated, comfortable position.
- Notice and relax any areas of your body that might feel tight or tense.
- Tune in to your breath. Feel the natural flow of breath -in, out.
- Be kind to your wandering mind. If you find yourself “thinking” or “wandering” gently redirect your thoughts back to your breathing.
- Stay here for 5 minutes.
- As you come out of your meditation, offer yourself appreciation for practicing today.
