Being Mindful Words by Kristina S. // Photography by Kelly Green.We are born with five powerful se
Being Mindful Words by Kristina S. // Photography by Kelly Green. We are born with five powerful senses so that we are capable of seeing, hearing, smelling, tasting, and touching the world we live in. We use our five senses on a daily basis, but we don’t always do so mindfully. Being mindful in our environment is so important. It enables us to experience the world in a whole new way. Psychologists have studied the impact of mindfulness and found that people who practice mindfulness and meditation on a daily basis are happier overall than people who don’t.The best part of practicing mindfulness is that it’s so easy and so rewarding. All you have to do is consciously use your five senses to draw yourself into the present moment.When you wake up in the morning, embrace the feel of your silky sheets against your bare skin. Once you’re out of bed, stretch. Reach your arms as far above your head as you can, feel the stretch in your arms, and then bend down to touch your toes and feel the tightness in your hamstrings.Make your way to the kitchen to prepare a beautiful, nutritious breakfast. Breathe in the fresh smell of strongly brewed coffee and feel the warm steam from the cup float to your nostrils as you pour in way too much cream. Fry some eggs and bacon in a pan and listen closely as they crackle and sizzle over the heat. As you eat, pay close attention to the crunch of the bacon and the texture of the eggs as you chew each bite. Count the number of times you chew before you swallow. As you appreciate every flavor and texture of each ingredient, you’ll realize how wonderful mindful eating can be.After a long day, go for a walk outside. Listen as your feet scrape the pavement, leaves crunch beneath your feet, and dogs bark from inside their homes. Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin and take in the fresh air. Notice how bright the sun shines, how fluffy the clouds appear in the sky and the smell of fresh-cut grass.Take a break from your homework and take ten deep breaths. Pay close attention to the way your chest rises and falls with each breath. Notice how pure it feels to breathe so deeply. Close your eyes and pay attention to nothing except for your breath.Being mindful will allow you to experience the beauty and wealth of the world we live in. Start with baby steps, like practicing meditation for five minutes when you wake up, snacking mindfully between meals or acknowledging the beads of water that form on your belly in the shower. Happiness is all around us, you just have to take it all in. © 2015 Reef Magazine. -- source link
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