Mindfulness has become a major discussion point in our society in recent years. As our lives get busier and more connected, we make less time to be still and introspective. We may have a million excuses to not be mindful, but here are three simple techniques to try that take only seconds.
Pay attention to the feeling of your feet on the floor. What do you feel in the soles of your feet, the tips of your toes?
Take one full breath, keeping your focus on the entire cycle. What does the air feel like as it moves through your body? You can count the length of your inhale and exhale to keep focus.
Engage any (or all) of your five senses. What can you see, hear, smell, taste, or feel right now?
You don’t necessarily need a fancy, formal mindfulness practice to be mindful. If you can infuse your days with small moments of mindfulness, you’re creating more time and space for your mind to be calm.
Bethany Kriegel, LMHC, earned her master’s degree in mental health counseling from Boston College. She has experience working with adults in residential treatment settings, helping those struggling with eating disorders and obsessive-compulsive disorder, among other issues.
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