Take a Minute to be Mindful and Focus on You.
Well-being is often mistaken for only physical well-being but to be well, we have to create holistic well-being which includes mental as well as physical well-being and mindfulness is one of the elements we can introduce to our lives for overall wellness.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. While mindfulness is something we all naturally possess, it’s more readily available to us when we practice on a daily basis.
Dates to Remember
28 April – World Day for Safety & Health at Work
7 April – World Health Day
24 – 30 April – World Immunisation Week
25 April – World Malaria Day
Whenever you bring awareness to what you’re directly experiencing via your senses, or to your state of mind via your thoughts and emotions, you’re being mindful. And there’s growing research showing that when you train your brain to be mindful, you’re remodelling the physical structure of your brain.
The goal of mindfulness is to wake up to the inner workings of our mental, emotional, and physical processes and Executive Coach, Deidre Dattoli believes in coaching people to become their true authentic selves and shares these 3 steps of exercises you can consider around mindfulness:
Step 1: Step Out of Autopilot
Find a quiet space in which to sit still, gently close your eyes and take a pause. Start by focusing on your breathing and bring your awareness to what you’re doing, thinking, and sensing. Notice the thoughts that come up and acknowledge your feelings but let them pass. Attune yourself to who you are and your current state.
Step 2: Become Aware of Your Breath
Bring awareness to your breathing for six breaths or 90 seconds. The goal is to focus attention on one thing: your breath. Be aware of the movement of your body with each breath; of how your chest rises and falls, how your belly pushes in and out, and how your lungs expand and contract. Find the pattern of your breath and anchor yourself to the present with this awareness.
Step 3: Expand Your Awareness Outward
Let your awareness spread outward, first to the body then to the environment. Allow awareness to expand throughout your body. Notice the sensations you’re experiencing, like tightness, aches, or perhaps a lightness in your face or shoulders. Keep in mind your body as a whole, as a complete vessel for your inner self. Remember being mindful should not be seen as selfish; it should be seen as the backbone of a healthy mind.
