More and more people are starting to realize that our mental wellness is just as important, if not sometimes more so, than our physical wellness. So, it’s necessary to have tools in our kit that are effective at managing our mental health and wellness. Of course, we’d recommend massage therapy as a beneficial treatment for both mental and physical wellness, but that’s not the only thing that can help you.
Mindfulness is one of the latest buzzwords that’s all the rage in the world of mental health, but what exactly does it mean? Let’s learn more about mindfulness and how it can help you.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is all about being present and living in the moment. So often, we’re busy doing two things at once while thinking or worrying about a dozen other things. By doing so, we’re not fully involved with what we’re doing.
You’re working but you’re not as productive as you could be because you’re not fully focused. Or you’re spending time with a loved one but they feel ignored because you’re distracted by your phone and worrying about all the work you have to do tomorrow.
The practice of mindfulness is essentially the opposite of these behaviors. It’s about being fully present in the moment and being aware of where you are, what you’re doing, or what you’re thinking about. So, if you’re eating breakfast, you’re not scrolling on Instagram, planning your day, and thinking about what you’ll eat for dinner. You’re present in the room and being fully aware of the tastes and textures of what you’re eating.
The benefits of mindfulness
It sounds so simple, yet mindfulness can be a very difficult practice, especially in the modern world where there are distractions all around us. But practicing mindfulness on a daily basis, even just for 30 seconds at a time, has a plethora of benefits. It can…
- Reduce anxiety
- Reduce stress levels
- Manage depression symptoms
- Improve self-esteem and body image
- Improves concentration and attention span
You can read even more of the amazing benefits of mindfulness in this article.
How can you be more mindful?
There are a number of ways to practice mindfulness. The best way to start is with guided mindfulness meditation sessions. You can find these on YouTube or through an app like Headspace. These sessions will guide you through what to do, but they’re essentially about simply being with your breath, your thoughts, and your feelings without challenging them or trying to push negative feelings away or focus on positive ones.
Once you’ve got the hang of it, you can practice mindfulness anywhere and anytime. You might have a 5-minute mindfulness session before you go to sleep or you might just take a 30-second break from work to practice mindfulness. You can practice mindfulness while you’re eating, walking, or taking a shower. Or even while you’re having a massage!
Contact us if you want massage therapy to be a part of your self-care and mindfulness routine. We offer massage services around Winston Salem, Pfafftown, and Lewisville.