By Michelby Whitehead
For some women, summertime means Sunday brunches with besties, baecations and bottomless mimosas. For the rest of us, it’s just a reminder that half of the year is gone and the vision board we created is manifesting dust, not destiny.
If this feeling of defeat has been plaguing you, know that it’s something all women experience, even those who seem to have it all together. If you’re ready to give up, practicing mindfulness can help you find the peace and happiness you desire in all areas of your life.
What is Mindfulness?
Google defines mindfulness as:
a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
This means that things don’t have to be in perfect condition — not by society’s standards or even your own. Mindfulness simply requires you to live in your current season and accept all the emotions associated with it.
How to Practice Mindfulness
Here are 3 ways to practice mindfulness and reap the benefits that come with it:
1. See the glass as half full: Perception is everything. Instead of viewing Monday as the day you leave a relaxing weekend to deal with your grouchy boss or running a million mommy errands, view it as a fresh start to have an awesome week.
For example, focus on the things that make life grand, such as having a stable job in this economy or seeing the smile on your child’s face when you attend their event. Embrace those manic Mondays; they set the tone for the days that follow.
2. Be Her Now: Got dreams of flying to foreign lands next year? Apply for your passport today. Thinking about law school? Learn about the requirements to enroll. Been dying to see your favorite singer in concert? Save your money and purchase a ticket.
You don’t need an invitation to do the things you love or to reinvent yourself. Checking things off your bucket list can make you feel like Superwoman!
3. Practice heartfulness and meditate regularly: Sit still, and things will start to move. Yes, it’s true! Spending time alone to meditate, pray or write in a journal can help your mind and body recharge. By focusing on the peace and tranquility you want, you’re bound to attract it.
Moreover, studies show that calming the amygdala is the neurological advantage of meditation; this area of the brain is where our “flight or fight” emotions live.
What does your mindfulness practice look like? What benefits have you seen?
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