How to use mindfulness to manage stress and overcome stressful periods with clarity, focus and more energy.
By Beatrice Peters (Wellness Consultant and Physiotherapist)
A lot of you are going through a stressful period right now. You feel overwhelmed, are under an immense amount of stress and you are juggling so many demands. It’s hard to focus and stay motivated as the stress feels too much.
Modern research about mindfulness and meditation shows that over time and with regular practice, mindfulness offers significant benefits to people including less stress, less anxiety, greater focus, calm and happiness.
Simply put, it can help you get out of your funk.
So what is mindfulness?
Mindfulness means being present. It’s paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment and without judging. It means that you observe your thoughts, sensation of taste, touch, smell and sight and sound. You are also fully aware of your surroundings.
What can we do to become more mindful?
One of the key aspects of mindfulness is setting an intention for what you are doing in the present moment. Ask yourself, what is the purpose of what you are doing right now?
I first heard about this from Oprah Winfrey who starts every meeting by asking “What is our intention in this meeting?”. Leading neuroscientists such as Dr Stan Rodski agree with Oprah’s habit of setting an intention and research has shown how this helps to focus the mind by eliminating distractions.
What is the intention of what you are doing at this present moment? For example, right now I am creating a blog about mindfulness. My intention is to create a helpful article in the next 45 minutes. I will keep coming back to that intention if I find myself getting distracted. If the notifications ring on my phone, I need to ignore it and get back to the article.
If you are playing with your kids on the trampoline – what is your intention? Is it to have fun with the kids or is it to think about that phone call that you have to make later?
Setting an intention really helps you to be in the moment and will re-direct a wandering mind.
Keep that intention in front of mind and keep checking in with yourself. Ask yourself if you’re staying true to that intention and keep bringing your attention back to that intention.
If you would like to learn more about mindfulness please contact Beatrice Peters
Facebook: I Quit Being Tired
Instagram: @iquitbeingtired
Website: beatricepeters.com.au
