A happy mind is a winning mind!
To WIN and fulfil our personal aspirations, we need a happy mind! Unfortunately, there are so many things in our lives that prevent us from having a healthy mind.
You are not alone! It can be difficult to be happy!
If you feel down and out about yourself, you are not alone. It can be difficult to be HAPPY! We regularly face distractions, issues and events that can create anxiety and stress. We struggle with who we are and sometimes feel disappointed with ourselves. For some, it can seem like the world is caving in and it becomes an uphill battle to get out of it.
It can also happen in situations where we face a mental block in overcoming a challenge. Being caught up with the need to perform that it creates anxiety and impacts our ability to perform at our optimal best is a common occurrence at work, business, school and sports.
A sub-optimal mental state derails our ability to get the most of ourselves.
Mindfulness – Living in the Present Moment
This is where Mindfulness can help us. Mindfulness is about being present. Living in the PRESENT MOMENT. Seems like a simple concept but in reality, it isn’t. Growing pressures in life, social media, digital technology, screen time, etc make it increasingly difficult to just focus on the present. Ever get distracted by email notifications or get affected by social media posts? I have! It’s hard not to!
Mindfulness Meditation and Practice helps us be more conscious of the present
It’s one thing to know and another to actually do it. It is hard to just turn on the switch in our brains to be MINDFUL. That is why Mindfulness is not only a way of life but also a practice. Mindfulness practice helps train our minds to be not caught up with emotions and external factors, and to just notice and accept the present and who we are and to be happy with it. Through practice and meditation, we become aware of the distractions that draw us away from presence and peace. In our normal lives, we are too distracted to notice, we ignore it or get too caught up with it.
Get a better understanding on how mindfulness can transform us with this TedX video on youtube.
How to Practice Mindfulness Meditation and Mindfulness Training Resources
Some easy useful tips:
- Mindfulness reminder alarm bell
Set a time in your daily schedule to practise mindfulness – to be present. We live busy lives and it is very easy to overlook the need to practice
Easy activities when you are trying to be MINDFUL
- Take a moment to Walk slowly with intention – notice your footsteps
- Sit down, close your eyes, breathe slowly and notice your breaths and the sounds and noises that are taking you away from concentrating on your breathing
- Take a mindful walk – notice the surrounding and use your senses to take in the smells, the sights and sounds
- When eating, take your time to eat slowly. Chew and notice the texture, taste and colour of your food. (You can use this to help kids learn about mindfulness as well)
- Get rid of all distractions (mobile phones) when you are doing these activities
Online Resources
Paid Online Courses – Mindfulness Meditation Training
Explore the full mindfulness collection at Better Listen and practice being in the present
The Mindfulness Daily – an online course teaching you about Mindfulness
Recommended Reading
Zen as F*ck: A Journal for Practicing the Mindful Art of Not Giving a Sh*t (Zen as F*ck Journals)
A unique approach to improving your personal mental health
Exercises to help you embed Mindfulness into your routine. The exercises are practical and you can easy flip to a chapter that is relevant to you. It is one of the best sellers on Amazon.
Free Resources
10 Mindful Exercises to help you be present
Short practical guide to Mindfulness Training
20-minute exercise guide on how to practice mindfulness meditation