Mindfulness 101
Follow these 7 easy steps and notice how quickly you can become mindful! Step #1-DECIDE you want to become mindful When we decide to do something, we are telling ourselves we are committed and we engage our minds in this “new” decision Step #2-STOP and pause. Stopping and pausing for a moment in whatever we are doing, brings our attention to the activity and forms a natural “break” from the autopilot program we were on. Step #3-Breathe consciously. Breathing with focus allows that stop and pause to continue and gives us the opportunity to elevate…
What is Mindfulness Anyway?
Jon Kabat-Zinn’s definition is spot on. It is about paying attention-purposefully and especially without judgement. When we are in a mindful state, we are being an observer and curious about how we are feeling, what we are thinking and what we are doing. Being mindful means directing our attention to the experience as it unfolds-instead of thinking of what is on the do list. Interestingly, when we practice being mindful consistently, it trains us to respond skillfully/appropriately to whatever is happening-positive or negative. Being mindful, improves our thought processes-keeps us out of the “same ole,…
Mind full or Mindful? Where are you?
I am a big fan of being in summertime mode and those of you who have been in my community for a while know that about me. And, you know, I’m wanting that for you too! But, I must confess, this year, so far, I’ve been “off” quite a bit in getting there. I’ve had my mind full of lots to do. Much too much! And, I haven’t been as mindful of how much I was putting on my plate! Oh dear! And, now it seems like summer is shortly coming to an end! Yikes!…
Tap Into Your Inner Resources
June e-news! I just got back from being in Switzerland for 2 weeks. What an amazing adventure I had. I did something quite different than I usually do when traveling to Europe. I went solo! Nope, didn’t get a divorce or anything similar to that. I still have my wonderful husband, it’s just that I had an opportunity to speak to a group of dental hygienists in Zurich on stress for their patients and themselves, and my husband decided he didn’t want to go. He wanted to go backpacking instead. Ok, but Switzerland…how can one…
Life Balance Quiz
How Well Do You Maintain Life Balance? by Jackie Foskett of Healing Hypnotherapy We hear how important it is to have balance in our lives. Yet what exactly does that mean? If trying to maintain balance in your life has your feeling like a tightrope walker, you are not alone! Most of us have so many demands on our time and energy, life can feel like a 3 ring circus! Take this quiz to find out how well you are doing in meeting responsibilities, while recognizing and fulfilling personal needs and wants. It will help…
Change The Way You See It
When You Can’t Change It, Change the Way You See It Environmental Stress Environmental stress is the stress that you can do absolutely nothing about. This includes things like the weather, traffic, and being stuck in the slowest line at the post office. Since there is not much we can do about environmental stressors, an effective way to deal with them is to let go of the hold they have on us and reframe the experience. Here are a 2 simple ways to re-frame an environmental stressor: Gratitude: For example, instead of being overwhelmed…