Oftentimes people ask me what is one thing they can do to help improve their mental health. My answer: engage in mindfulness practice. Humans are complex beings so maintaining our health is not exactly simple, but if you want just one answer, mindfulness is it. Research has indicated that even just a couple minutes each day of mindfulness practice helps improve mood, sleep, physical health conditions, professional success, and relational outcomes.* What?! It really is amazing how beneficial this daily practice can be.

What is mindfulness? A conscious presence and awareness of one's thoughts without judgement. Mindfulness involves focusing attention to anything of your choosing. This can be practiced in a formalized way such as sitting in meditation or informally at any time throughout the day. Prayer, running, eating breakfast, brushing your teeth, watching your child play, looking into your partner's eyes...these are all opportunities to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is a choice to be aware instead of being busy or numb. It is a choice to zone in instead of zoning out. 

Formal practice: Get into a comfortable position. Spend a few moments raising awareness to each area of your body. Notice any sensations in your feet...legs... waist... back... torso... chest... arms... hands... shoulders... neck... head. Just breathe and be curious. That's it. Now see if you can incorporate this body scan into your daily routine.

A body scan is just one way to practice mindfulness. If you are interested in increasing your mindfulness practice with a bit of guidance I would be happy to help. Reach out to me at heather@nashvilletherapy.co to get started today.

*References

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pscychresns.2010.08.006

https://doi: 10.1097/01.PSY.0000077505.67574.E3

https://doi.org/10.1177/1533210108329862

Search Inside Yourself by Chade-Meng Tan

Authored by: Dr. Heather Alesch