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healthy mind

Mindfulness

A DAILY PRACTICE

By: Caitlyn McKey

ave you ever practicing a sport, it’s best head. Notice if there is any
found yourself to practice mindfulness on a tension that you are carrying
walking into a daily basis. Think of mindful- there and release it. Move
Hroom and com- ness as a workout for your lower to your ears and give
pletely forgetting why you mind. However, unlike yoga them a wiggle, notice how
went there in the first place? or sports, it doesn’t have to your body responds to this.
Or maybe you lost your keys, take an hour out of your day Furthering down to your
only to find them in the freez- and you won’t have to go to neck and shoulders. Again,
er. How about driving home any fancy building and pay notice if you are holding any of the little muscles in your
and completely blanking on someone to teach you how tension there. Give them a hand. Following along to
what the journey looked like? to practice. This is something tight shrug, then release the your toes having the same
Don’t worry, you’re not losing you can do in a matter of 30 tension. Slowly bring your awareness. Finally, take a
your mind. In fact, most peo- seconds to an hour. Really attention to your chest. Feel deep breath in and upon
ple I know experience this practicing mindfulness can how it rises and falls as you releasing your breath slowly
on a daily basis. Now there take however long you desire. breathe in and out. Next, begin to open your eyes
might be some of you sitting I recommend starting off bring your attention to your and smile. Congratulations!
there thinking, “How can I slowly. Like with any new hands and slowly give your You’ve just completed a
fix this?” Or maybe you’re endeavor, start with the basics. fingers a wiggle noticing all mindful moment!
wondering what you can
do to avoid being unaware. Mindfulness Practice:
The simple answer is to start Body Scanning
practicing mindfulness. One of my favorite
ways to practice mind-
What is mindfulness? fulness is through body
Mindfulness is slowing scanning. This is a mental
down, paying attention on pur- practice, and only requires
pose, taking your awareness a chair or laying down on
and bringing it to the present a comfortable surface. If
moment, bringing aware- this is your first time trying
ness to what is happening in this out, I recommend
the mind and the body, and going to a quiet space to
bringing awareness to your better focus your attention.
surroundings. When practicing Once you are in position,
mindfulness, it is important to close your eyes and begin
be non-judgmental, com- to focus your attention on
passionate, to have patience, your breath. Focus on the
trust, acceptance, and to be small area between your
non-striving. There is absolute- nostrils where you can
ly no rush in mindfulness. feel your breath coming in
and out. Do this for a few
How can you start practic- breaths. Feel gravity pulling
ing mindfulness? on your body. Begin to
Just like yoga practice, or focus on the crown of your

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