Mindfulness is creating awareness of the present moment without judgment.\u00a0 Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction is training in how to actually learn and incorporate this practice into our lives. It isn\u2019t easy to be fully present when most of our lives are layered with complexities today, filling every moment.\u00a0 However, on a rare occasion, when there is an unexpected \u201cfree\u201d moment of time, this free time may actually increase our stress. As one UVA psychologist found out, some folks would rather give themselves an electric shock than to sit quietly for a period of time with no distractions or stimuli. This may seem unlikely, but maybe not, in light of the constant stimuli that surround us.\u00a0 These frequent demands for our attention often lead to constant multitasking throughout the day. We are now finding out that an over abundance of multitasking may not be so good for our brains and health.\u00a0 It may also feel uncomfortable to sit still with nothing on our agendas. Thoughts, feelings and sensations can arise that have been previously distracted from our attention through this constant bombardment of stimuli. This can create increased stress in addition to our already stress-filled day.<\/p>\n
Multitasking has become a modern way of life.\u00a0 Social media, texting, phone calls, emails, pagers, letters and IM messaging all distract us.\u00a0 Faster computers with improved technology inject additional streams of information for meetings, reminders, latest emails, instant news reports layered neatly through pop up screens that appear consistently on our computer screens throughout the day.<\/p>\n
Recent studies show that almost 50% of the time we spend doing one thing, we are actually thinking about something else.\u00a0 Have you ever tried to talk to a coworker, patient or friend and noticed their eyes directed to their phone or computer screen, instead of you?\u00a0 Do you notice others walking down the street not looking where they are going but rather looking at their cell phones?\u00a0 Do you find yourself looking at your phone or computer for most of the day, even when you\u2019re eating, walking or perhaps driving?<\/p>\n
This persistent multitasking can result in an underlying fatigue.\u00a0 Mental, emotional, psychological and physical fatigue results from sitting long periods of time with constant bombardment from multiple sources. How do we stop this unhealthy cycle?<\/p>\n
One way is by taking a pause.\u00a0\u00a0 We can gently bring our minds back to the present moment by focusing on taking a deep breath and noticing our lungs expanding and contracting.\u00a0 This gives our minds a break from multitasking, helps us to look away from the computer screen and just feels good to take a deep breath.\u00a0 In addition to noting breathing, it allows us the opportunity to check in with our bodies, perhaps letting us know we need to change positions or shrug our shoulders or get up for a few moments.\u00a0\u00a0 Another simple way to create our own awareness of the present moment, is to pay attention to our first bite of food, noticing the tastes, likes or dislikes of this first bite. \u00a0 It sounds simple, but many of us have little time to eat and even less time to consider what we are eating.\u00a0 Food is more enjoyable when we engage with what we eat and this noticing helps us to not overeat, another benefit of cultivating awareness as we begin a meal.<\/p>\n
Another practice to create awareness is when travelling home to take a pause before walking in the door; to become fully present to meet and greet the folks at hand.\u00a0 This creates a \u201cspace\u201d of permission to leave work behind for a few moments and connect fully to our loved ones or pet, giving our full attention.\u00a0 Many find this to be rewarding and nourishing, taking only 5-10 minutes and helps set the tone for the whole evening.<\/p>\n
By noticing what’s happening with gentle curiosity, we start to work constructively with the events of our lives, by gently bringing our attention back to the here and now.\u00a0 This can help us to let go of unhelpful interpretations or stories of the events, thus minimizing excess anxiety and to see the situations as they really are.\u00a0 Pleasant sensations can be experienced and savored, like focusing on that first bite of food, instead of wolfing down a meal absentmindedly and then overeating.\u00a0 Unpleasant sensations can be acknowledged and then accepted, thus creating the opportunity for resiliency and change, without energy being wasted on resisting what already has occurred and making matters worse.<\/p>\n
How about starting out this New Year with positive change by creating a little present moment awareness each day? \u00a0\u00a0Our hearts, souls, minds and especially our health will benefit from this. \u00a0\u00a0May this year be truly a healthier and happier New Year!<\/p>\n
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Mindfulness is creating awareness of the present moment without judgment.\u00a0 Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction is training in how to actually learn and incorporate this practice into our lives. It isn\u2019t easy to be fully present when most of our lives are layered with complexities today, filling every moment.\u00a0 However, on a rare occasion, when there is […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1136","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-monthly-musings"],"acf":false,"yoast_head":"\n