ADVERTISEMENT

    Mastering Mindfulness is the Key to a Successful 2017

    Mindfulness can be a tricky thing to master. Like any form of physical exercise, starting is the hardest part. But it’s in that difficult beginning that we start to grow and transform the boundaries of our minds, sometimes unbeknownst to us in the moment.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    One of the first times I truly tried to meditate on my own merit was just a few months back in the late summer. I began taking solo evening walks before the sun set and would intentionally leave my phone behind to simply walk with the company of my thoughts. As I’m sure most can relate, it’s nearly impossible to shut my mind up. I’ve found myself wishing there was an on-off switch for my brain more times than I can count. The daily to-do’s are a persistent distraction, and there’s always something we’re rushing off to do or get to. But for a beautiful 10 minutes on this late summer evening, with eyes closed and a slowed breath, I found that coveted quiet. Finding a way to relish the present moment is both a challenge and an aspiration. When I “came to,” there was a swarm of gnats buzzing in my face. I burst into laughter and, just like that, I was back to reality. But that brief pause gave me a newfound calm, a sense of refreshment that is all but easy to achieve in the everyday rush of life.

    It’s the reflexive and everyday tasks that, if we bring intention to them, can be immensely beneficial to our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

    Think about how you eat your meals. Do you inhale food the second you see it? Do you eat with your phone in one hand while watching tv? Take the extra moment to savor how all of the ingredients taste, how your food looks, how it makes you feel. You might find that the type of foods you eat don’t actually make you feel very good and that you simply eat them out of habit or convenience. Listen to your body and be mindful with your eating in order to recognize what serves you and what doesn’t.

    The same concept applies to exercise. Exercise can be viewed as a punishment or it can be one of the most positive parts of your day. If you’re in a routine that fosters negativity, change it! Find a different type of activity that brings you joy and creates positive change.

    We’ve all heard the phrase “beauty is in the eye of the beholder;” well, the same goes for mindfulness. While meditation may be the best practice for some, for others mindfulness is achieved through art, yoga, running, biking, music – any outlet that ignites a passion. My advice to myself and to everyone else is to set intentions for the year ahead and tune in to your mental and physical self to find what provides contentment, not derived from outside influence, but rather from within.

    Columbus Underground is celebrating healthy living habits to help you kick off the new year right! Check out all of our Health & Wellness 2017 articles by CLICKING HERE.

    ADVERTISEMENT

    Subscribe

    More to Explore:

    4 Local Races to Run With Kids

    I’ve never considered myself a runner, but since I...

    Jesse Cale Creates a Home For All With Sound Baths

    Imagine a massive room full of people of all...

    OSU Students Launch Free LGBTQ+ Healthcare Clinic

    By: CASSIDY NAYPAUER  With so many barriers standing between the LGBTQ+...

    Opinion: A Mother’s Plea – Get Your Flu Shot

    I recently took my three kids to get our...

    Paloma Wellness Wants to Be an Escape From the Daily Chaos

    "Paloma is really a destination for people to be...
    ADVERTISEMENT