Mindfulness not only brings a greater sense of overall happiness, but regular practice may even extend our life.
So, what is mindfulness and how can mastering this simple technique help you to enjoy better mental wellbeing during your later years? Mindfulness is the practice of focusing your attention on the present moment in time, bringing an awareness to your thoughts and feelings without judging the experience.
There are simple ways to introduce mindfulness to your everyday life, from taking a mindful walk and paying attention to every detail, to simply taking a moment to stop and reconnect with what’s going on around you.
As a therapy, mindfulness has gained significant support over recent years and is now recommended by the Department of Health as an effective method that can be used by everyone to help manage stress and improve overall happiness. It is also believed to help lower blood pressure, improve sleep, reduce chronic pain, and may even delay the process of ageing.
So, how can you start to be more mindful in your everyday life? Here are our top tips to get you started…
1. Look around you
Set free your sense of curiosity and take a few moments to observe your surroundings. Start to create a habit of pausing to take in what is going on around you for five minutes each day. What can you see? What sensations are you feeling?
2. Just breathe
It’s something we do without any real effort or conscious thought but by focusing on our breathing, we can awaken a sense of inner calm. Make sure you are in a comfortable position then spend a few minutes simply focusing your attention of the physical act of breathing and the way it feels as the air travels in and out of your body.
3. Take a mindful walk
Getting outdoors is great therapy for both the mind and body, so why not make your walk a mindful one by paying more attention to the sights and sensations that you come across along the way? Focus on what you can see, hear, and feel by turning your attention outwards to the world around you.
4. Listen
Connect to the sounds around you by simply focusing on what you can hear. Spend a few minutes somewhere where you won’t be disturbed, close your eyes, and tune in to what you can hear. Let the sounds wash into your consciousness without judgement or trying to think too much about what you are hearing.
It takes time and practice to get the hang of mindfulness, but with time and patience, you will start to feel the benefits, including reduced stress, better mental health, and a greater sense of pleasure in everyday life.
Live better with Brio
Our communities have been designed with your wellbeing in mind. From our outdoor exercise trails and beautiful green space right on your doorstep (perfect for that mindful walk), to our range of wellbeing events and activities, such as yoga and Pilates, we’re committed to supporting you so that you can enjoy a lifestyle that helps you stay well for longer.
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