Tuesday, January 24, 2012

Mindfulness Matters


Cartoon of a busy computer workstation and a peaceful window view of bird on a tree.“Many of us go through our lives without really being present in the moment,” says Dr. Margaret Chesney of the University of California, San Francisco. She’s studying how mindfulness affects health. “What is valuable about mindfulness is that it is accessible and can be helpful to so many people.”The concept of mindfulness is simple, but becoming a more mindful person requires commitment and practice.

Here are some tips to help you get started:

Take some deep breaths. Breathe in through your nose to a count of 4, hold for 1 second and then exhale through the mouth to a count of 5. Repeat often.

Enjoy a stroll. As you walk, notice your breath and the sights and sounds around you. As thoughts and worries enter your mind, note them but then return to the present.

Practice mindful eating. Be aware of taste, textures and flavors in each bite, and listen to your body when you are hungry and full.

Find mindfulness resources in your local community, including yoga and meditation classes, mindfulness-based stress reduction programs and books.

http://newsinhealth.nih.gov/issue/Jan2012/Feature2

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