PRESENT MOMENT AWARENESS
What is Present Moment Awareness?
Recently I hosted a Mindfulness Monday talk on Facebook. Right away I realized that present moment awareness describes mindfulness best. Much of the distress we feel in life is related to agonizing over the past or being anxious about the future. When we pay attention to our now, we can take in the fullness of our experience and better connected to our true selves. In the present moment is where we can find the strength to meet life where it is, reduce our stress hormones, and bring our mind, body, and spirit into balance.
How to Practice Mindfulness?
Practicing mindfulness or present moment awareness is generally about being still and bringing your attention to now. This can be done by observing your breath as is often done in meditation. Meditation is a part of my morning routine. It is the first thing I do in the morning. Without even getting out of bed, I either sit up and ring my meditation bell to start my session or turn to some of my trusted guided meditations. After practicing observing in the morning, it helps me remember to take in the fullness of each moment as much as possible throughout the day. As evening approaches, listening to a very relaxing Spotify playlist starts my bedtime routine. It signals me to return to the present and let the thoughts of my day float away. Along with those tools, I generally do yoga flow twice per week as a restorative physical practice.
Community Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness alone is helpful for establishing a daily routine, however leveraging your community has added benefits as well. Visit www.lakawell.com/events for upcoming opportunities to practice mindfulness and restorative movement. As the Lakawell community grows, I plan to host regular meditation classes. There is a greater sense of palpable energy I feel when practicing in a group setting versus solo. You can do also perform a quick google search to find a meditation center near you. In the St. Louis area, I have been to Pragmatic Buddism St. Louis, currently offering online sessions free of charge.
#mindfulness #presentmomentawareness #calm #relax #balance #wellness #decreasecortisollevels