Using Mindfulness Exercises for Anxiety
For the people who are not sure what mindfulness means it is a spiritual path to enlightenment according to the teachings of Lord Buddha. It is a type of self-awareness where your mind will be trained to be in touch with the present moment and your own self. In today’s society everyone is going through countless experiences that life throws their way and as a result it can affect their mental health. Using mindfulness exercises will teach you to stay in the moment and to accept things for what they are and how they are.
Many people find themselves focusing their attention on worrying about the upcoming and unknown future or else looking back into their past. When doing mindfulness exercises it will help to teach you that accepting “the now” is better than worrying about the future or dwelling on the past. Doing these types of exercises will help different health conditions like stress, depression, psychological and emotional concerns, anxiety, eating disorders, and sleeping problems. The two most important health concerns that seem to plague people in today’s society are stress and anxiety, which seem to go together.
In order for these mindfulness exercises to really work and help you deal with stress and anxiety you have to believe in the true meaning of mindfulness to accept it in your soul, body, and mind.
De-stress yourself—this is the very first thing that you need to do when you are feeling anxious by reducing the emphasis on whatever is bothering you at the time. Instead of reacting and thinking about the current situation stop and observe your surroundings and let whatever thoughts or emotion you are having come to you. Let them enter your mind and then float out of your mind without dwelling on them.
Control your breathing—practice breathing deep from your abdomen to help release any feelings of stress and anxiety. If it is possible sit where you can breathe in fresh air. It would help if you could sit with your legs crossed with one hand on your chest and the other on your stomach breathing in from your nose and out through your mouth. When breathing in, your stomach should rise but not your chest. Keep breathing until you feel the tension leaving your body. You can also do this lying down with a book on your stomach.
Practice meditation—practicing formal meditation can lead to mindfulness by training your mind to be constantly aware of your surroundings and be in the present, not in the past or future. When you meditate it helps to find the balance in keeping your body sensations and breathing in tune. Make sure that you are thinking of peaceful things and not what you have to carry out that day such as errands to run, tasks to be done, etc.
These mindfulness exercises should be practiced at least once a day. Doing them before bedtime, especially meditation will help you get a good night sleep.
Written by: Mohit Jain
Photo credit: majoringinpsychology.com
