Mindfulness for Beginners: How to Starting

For those who are just getting into a workout or they are looking for methods that help them to deal with the stress of the moment, they are going to find that mindfulness is one of the best ways to do this. However, it is a bit more involved than simply changing the way in which you are thinking, it takes active thought and you have to access it in your mind. Everyone is able to get to this point, it just takes some work.

What is Mindfulness?

So, what is mindfulness? You will find that this has two definitions. Some people define this as the quality of being conscious of something, like your surroundings. However, other people state that this is a mental state that is only achieved after you focus on your surroundings or the present moment. You have to accept all the feelings, thoughts and your bodily sensations that come with being aware.

What are the Benefits of Mindfulness?

For those who start to practice mindfulness, you will find that there are several benefits to this. These benefits include:

1. This can greatly reduce your stress and help you manage this even better.
2. It has been shown to greatly help those who are suffering with illnesses, to better accept and heal from this illness.
3. It can help you to recover from not only an illness, but from any kind of issue that you may have, including those emotional, traumatic events.
4. It can help with decreasing the symptoms of depression that you have.
5. It greatly improves your general health.
6. It can help you to become mentally sharper, when at work or other activities. Studies have found that students who practice mindfulness often have better grades and are able to focus better.
7. You may even become more satisfied with your job and life in general once you start to practice mindfulness.

The benefits are still growing for those who are practicing mindfulness and studies are still uncovering new benefits as it is studied.

Mindfulness Exercises

Mindfulness is something that many people are trying to incorporate into their life, for all the benefits and the fact that this can help you with everyday life. With this being said, you will find that there are several mindfulness exercises that you can do to help you deal with this.

And believe it or not, these exercises do not have to be extremely long. They can actually be a few short seconds that you do at your work desk to help center you. Here are some simple exercises that will help you to work on mindfulness throughout the day.

• Yawn and stretch for 10 seconds every hours
• Close your eyes, and then take your index finger of your right hand and slowly move it up and down on the outside of your fingers. Then repeat with the other side. During this time, put your mind at rest.
• Clench your fist and breathe into your fingers.
• Lower your eyes and for one minute do nothing but focus on your breathing.
• Have an affirmation that you can repeat to yourself. With this in mind, close your eyes and then repeat this to yourself.
• For those who have a few minutes, find a quiet room or even go outdoors. Sit down and cross your legs in front of you, relax your body and close your eyes. For the next five to ten minutes simply breathe in and out, letting your mind clear.

You will find that mindfulness moments can happen anywhere, even while stuck in traffic on your way home.