Mindfulness

Our bodies are like engineering machines that distinctly know what to do when we encounter stressors. In facing an unwelcoming situation, our body releases hormones such as adrenaline that increases our heart rate and elevates our blood pressure. Cortisol is another hormone released when we feel threatened and it also increases blood sugar levels. If we constantly live in a state where we are feeling as if we are being attacked or stressed, these hormones are constantly on. This brings many health issues such as memory or concentration problems, anxiety, depression, headaches, difficulty with sleep patterns, digestive problems, and even heart disease.

What is mindfulness?

Do not focus on what could have been, what should have been, but rather focus on the here and now. Do not put your energy on what will happen tomorrow, what happened yesterday or the day before yesterday. Focus on the Now and become accepting of what is in the present. Place yourself in the moment, do not stray! Be present with your breathing. Allow yourself to view things for what they are and not what is wrong with them. This is mindfulness. Be present in the moment by practicing mindfulness.

How can we practice mindfulness?

Whatever activity you choose to be involved in, be present. Make sure you completely immerse yourself in the activity. For example, in managing our stressors, we may choose to do so many things such as jogging, weight training, taking a bath with aromatherapy. Some may enjoy watching a good movie on Netflix, when others may enjoy listening to music. Many people may engulf themselves in the benefits of prayer and spend time with God. As you jog, focus on the activity. Do not allow your mind to wonder and start thinking about multiple other things. When you are weight training, focus on the muscle fibers growing. During that aromatherapy bath, focus on the scents from the bath. While you pray, release yourself into the arms of God; do not allow yourself to drift off thinking about other things. Always bring yourself back to the activity as you perform it. Nurture yourself.

The benefits of mindfulness?

Practicing mindfulness helps us to build resilience which is being able to handle whatever failures that come our way. Mindfulness prepares us to be able to have a level of flexibility that helps us to move forward and deal with the unknown regardless of what it may be. Resilience allows us to push forward no matter what and it helps us to have an emotional well-being that enables us to discover a peace that radiates from within. When you focus on the present, you will begin to notice a peace within you which will help control your emotions. A sense of connecting better with others will develop and you will constantly notice that you are engaging more in the present. The end result will be the development of your best self.

Reference

Hannibal, K. E., & Bishop, M. D. (2014). Chronic stress, cortisol dysfunction, and pain: a psychoneuroendocrine rationale for stress management in pain rehabilitation. Physical therapy, 94(12), 1816–1825. https://doi.org/10.2522/ptj.20130597