How do you restore energy? Being mindful activates the ‘rest and digest’ part of your nervous system, helping you to switch off, de-stress and then focus when you need to.
Here’s how you can achieve a greater sense of focus, calm and clarity.
1 Take ten
Set aside just ten minutes each day for yourself to do nothing – yes nothing. Not thinking about what you need to do nor reminiscing about the past.
Ten minutes can feel like an eternity if you are new to mindfulness practices like meditation. Set an alarm on your phone or PC to keep track of the time, sit comfortably, close your eyes, and just focus on your breathing. This is a routine that’s ideal to combat the mid-morning or post-lunch energy slump.
2 Notice the now
As you sit, familiarise yourself with your present moment – what you are experiencing and the things that are happening around you. What do you notice about your surroundings? What sounds can you hear? What is the feel of the chair you sit on? Relax and notice your thoughts coming and going. Simply notice without judgement.
3 Take a step back
You can’t change the things that happen in your life but you can change how you experience them. Being mindful for even just ten minutes helps you to take a step back and detach from what you experience. This can result in a fresh and different perspective, help you de-stress and refocus on the positives.
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