What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is an ancient Buddhist method with relevance in today’s high-tempo life. We are experiencing continuous change, a lot of external stress and are constantly connected during the day. With an overflow of information and distractions, it is very easy to feel divided and fragmented. It is easy to lose contact with oneself.
We need to be able to choose what we want should get our attention in able to take back control of our lives and fill it with meaningful content. When we practice mindfulness, we are able to get a better idea of which thoughts are controlling our everyday life. Thoughts like I need to make it, I can’t do wrong or I am not good enough can destroy the joy in our lives – if we take them for truths.
When we meditate, we can get perspective on our thoughts and learn to not take them too seriously. Mindfulness reduces the wandering of thoughts and increases our focus, resulting in increased wellbeing.
Mindfulness bullets:
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Don't plan to much - give yourself time for reflection, rest and being spontaneous.
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If we are running too fast through life we miss-out on a lot of enjoyment.
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You can only enjoy life here and now and if you are always going somewhere else, you are not here.
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Thoughts about everything that needs to be done, we didn't have time to do or that didn't turn out like we wanted create a lot of unnecessary stress and suffering in our lives.
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Write a "thankfulness" diary. Use a little notebook to write down five things you are thankful for every day, big or small. When you create a habit to be thankful for all life’s small things you will become happier. Studies have proven that this small exercise can have a great effect on wellbeing.
About the author Beatrice
Beatrince Bildner. Lic. Physiotherapist, mindfulness teacher with an education in physiotherapy (PDT and ACT). Works at Fungera – Rehab in Gothenburg. There she meets individuals with light to severe physical mental illness such as stress, exhaustion, anxiety and depression. Beatrice has also been a teacher at Gothenburg’s University since 2004. For the last 6 years she holds a position at Mindfulness Center where she educates mindfulness instructors and has also hosted over 20 retreats. If you are interested in Beatrice work with mindfulness, feel free to contact her on Linkedin.