Are you mindful? Or is your mind full?
In today’s fast-paced world, our minds are constantly bombarded with information, hijacking our attention from the present moment.
We spend a chunk of our time living in our heads - worrying about the future or dwelling in the past - mindlessly rambling through thoughts and cooking narratives. Sound familiar? If this is something you find yourself doing and wish to overcome, read on!
Mindfulness is the key to muting the voice in your head. But it is only achievable when practised with conscious intention and consistency. We are all familiar with the term, but what does it really mean?
According to Spiritual Teacher and Author Eckhart Tolle, "Mindfulness is realizing deeply that the present moment is all you ever have. Make NOW the primary focus of your life."
Being mindful will allow you to enter a state of flow that ensures complete fluidity of the mind and body. The University of Massachusetts developed a program in 1979 - ‘Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction’ - an 8-week program combining Hatha yoga with Buddhist meditation to study the correlation between stress and mindfulness. They found that being mindful:
- Improved cognitive ability
- Slowed brain ageing
- Reduced symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression
- Helped with pain management
- Improved quality of life for those with chronic conditions
At Cycling Bears, apart from gym design services, our fitness professionals and wellness coaches also design customised programs and routines for your holistic well-being. Here are a few ways you can incorporate mindfulness into your daily lives:
1. Meditation: Practice breath work every day! Remember, it is quality over quantity! Set realistic goals and begin with as little as 5-10 minutes. Familiarise yourself with the practice, experiment and seek guidance, but ensure consistency! This simple exercise will help calm the mind and ground you in the present.
2. Yoga: Yoga complements and enhances mindfulness. It incorporates mindful body movement, breath awareness, and emotional regulation, all through a non-judgmental approach.
3. Mindful Eating: Savour your food and eat slowly. Avoid gobbling and rushing through meals. Check-in with your body and listen to the signals.
4. Mindful Technology Usage: Limit screen time and be intentional about how you engage with technology. Avoid mindless scrolling and dedicate time to digital detoxes. You can even try some apps to avoid distractions and boost your productivity!
5. Body Scan: Another technique that works wonders is a body scan! Close your eyes and bring your attention to different parts of your body, starting from your toes and moving all the way up to the top of your head. Notice any sensations or tension without trying to change anything. Here is a 10-minute body scan guided meditation to help you get started!
The beauty of mindfulness lies in its accessibility. It does not require special equipment or location. All you need is your willingness to show up and be present. As Buddha said, “Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment”. Harness the power of mindfulness to recognise your potential and lead a fulfilling life.
We look forward to working with you on designing & kitting out your wellness sanctuary and also on your wellness journey.