So what is mindfulness or meditation? Is it spiritual or religious? Is it hard to do? Is it some woo-woo thing that is a bit mad?! Not at all 🙂
In its simplest form, I promise you are already doing it.
When you sit, and breathe in that first coffee of the day, and your eye glances over the flower shoots peaking from your flowerpot, or garden; you hear the birds singing & you breathe in that morning light and sigh. In that few seconds or minute or two…..you are totally captured in the moment, enjoying that glimmer of sunlight & aroma.
It might be when you sink into your comfy sofa when the day is done, and snuggle down on your favourite cushion, with that fluffy blanket & take that 1st sip from your glass….
So why all the fuss? Because both the ancient world wisdoms, and modern medical science: is coming together in the benefits of accessing that “pause” button, of letting our over-stretched nervous systems calm, of making space.
When we are running at top speed, our pains or discomforts are being flagged as urgent alarm signals by our over-stimulated nervous systems. Our digestion, our breathing, our immune systems are turned down to prioritise our fighting ability. Even tiny pauses can press our re-set, re-boot us downstream to access our innate body restoration and wisdoms.
Recognising those pauses and glimmers, and making time for more; will make us more not less efficient, more comfortable, creative, effective, productive ….and happier.
Notice those moments & fully inhabit them. Set a timer for a minute and breathe, smell, see, listen, be for those few seconds, where you are – not where you were, or where you’re going.
We’ll explore together a delicious bounty of ways – we’re all different- to grab those moments to recharge. Start with the simplest. If your brain lets go, even for a moment, you may be flooded by thoughts – that’s our mind’s first response to a step-down in the frenzy. Don’t stress about it – that’s normal. Let them flow, keep breathing, look around you – find something beautiful, or unusual to spot, a noise to focus on, a waft of fragrance, breathe in & out. You’ve done it!