We all lead high-stress lives, and two of the ways that experts say we can help combat anxiety is by meditating and practicing yoga.
The problem, however, is making time to meditate and do yoga! Our busy lives are usually the reason that we have this stress to begin with!
With that in mind, Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing has four ways to be mindful without meditating.
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Be Passive in Mediating
When you think of meditation, you may think of a quiet, candlelit room or a serene outdoor setting. In reality, you can practice meditation passively nearly anywhere. All you must do is observe and experience things, both inside you and in the outside world. Take a moment and observe and feel what it’s like to have a specific feeling that you’re having, whether it be in bed in the morning, in the shower, at your office desk, or anywhere.
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Mental Check-ins
Schedule some time – at lunch, during your commute, before bed – to check in with yourself. Ask yourself how you are feeling, how your day is going, and what you need right now.
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Deep Breathing
Focusing on your breath, even if it’s just for one minute, can help calm you down and reset your nervous system. Many smartphones and smartwatches come with applications to help remind and help you perform these exercises until they become routine.
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Get in Touch With Your Senses
Focusing on how things feel, smell, look, taste, and sound like can allow yourself up to five different things to focus on. For example, if you’re taking a break to make some herbal tea, pay attention to how the water sounds as it boils, how the tea steeping changes the color of the water, how it smells as you bring the cup to your lips, the warmth of the mug in your hands, and the warmth as it passes through your mouth and goes down your throat.
To learn more about Cooperstown Center for Rehabilitation and Nursing and all of the services they offer, visit https://centershealthcare.com/cooperstown_center/.
