Mindfulness – Is It The Way Forward?

September 15, 2018

This article was written for Annabel & Grace, which is now part of Rest Less.

Mindfulness – is it the way forward? As a woman being born in the 1960’s and growing up in the 1970/80’s we were led to believe we could have it all! But can we really have it all, do it all? I’m not so sure now. To try and be all things to all people and do everything is extremely tiresome. There are only 24 hours in a day. Having a career, family, partner, keeping fit, looking after pets and cooking from scratch – all the things considered desirable and enhancing to our lives take time.

As I mentioned in my last article, time is one of those things in life you can’t buy and they don’t make any more of it! Each day we all have a long list of things we need to do, we should do, we MUST do! But do we really need to do everything?

Mindfulness is now a growing concept promoted to enhance our mental health & well being.

It’s about living in the moment. Concentrating on one task at a time – and thriving within that task.

Using the mindfulness technique when eating can have huge benefits, to our health. Savouring each mouthful of food relishing the texture, taste and consistency of what we’re eating and taking our time to chew and digest each mouthful is so important. Set yourself a place to eat, place some flowers or a candle on the table, and create a peaceful environment. Chewing food releases hormones into the gut to help send signals to the brain we are full, but this can take up to 20 minutes, so taking time over a meal is important. Stay away from any screens and enjoy and relish each mealtime if you take time to cook from scratch then take time to devour each mouthful mindfully, your waistline will thank you for it!

Another example to consider is when you’re having a shower, enjoy the water as it trickles down your back. Feel the effect it has on your skin. Enjoy the scented aroma of the soap or shower gel and the foaming froth on your body. Don’t be thinking about whose turn is it to put the rubbish out or what you’re going to have for supper that evening!

That all sounds quite simple right? Well mindfulness has grown in popularity. It’s about clarity, peacefulness and emptying the mind to concentrate on one task at a time. Research indicates it’s good for both the soul and your long-term health.

So getting back to my first question, can we really have it all, do it all ? I don’t think we can, its extremely tiring, saps energy and leads to frustration, feelings of inadequacy and low self-esteem.

So I’m going to suggest we all try and concentrate on one task at a time. Write a list of chores with the first being your main priority, down to the last being least important, and work your way through.

If you don’t manage to finish all the tasks don’t worry. There’s always another day. Sometimes in life it’s OK to just sit back, smell the roses and BREATHE!

 

Thanks to Lesley Greenwood for this article. Read more about her here

If you are interested in a positive mindset, click here for Lesley’s advice.

For more information on mindfulness, have a look at the NHS Moodzone

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