Happy New Year everyone! Did last year seem to just fly by again? Where does time go? As a new year begins, most people get motivated to change or pick up a healthy habit, such as exercising or eating better. So what happens by the time April comes along? Where does that motivation go?
Why do we tend to revert back to the same ‘ole same ‘ole? Most of the time we just go back to being on autopilot or being mindless.
To start and continue a healthy habit we have to be more mindful. What does that mean? What is mindfulness? Being mindful means being aware of what you are doing consciously. It’s being actively in the present with your brain actually paying attention to what’s going on. That seems pretty easy enough right? It can be. However, due to all the distractions that we allow ourselves to be, well, distracted by, we tend to be more mindless than mindful.
For example, do you automatically answer the phone when it rings even though you’re in the middle of dinner? Do you get to enjoy your dinner when you are bombarded with distractions? My guess is probably not. So, how can you start being mindful? Remember that what you say, how you act and behave has an impact on others: family, friends and even yourself. Accept responsibility for your behaviors, actions and words. If you cut someone off in traffic and they honk at you, all you have to do is wave a hand as a gesture of “I’m sorry.” If you find that your anger is uncontrollable, don’t continue abusive behaviors. Get help—immediately! That’s taking responsibility and being mindful. Being mindful is also being respectful, not just of others but of yourself as well.
Here’s a simple mindfulness exercise you can start doing: you can do this indoors or outdoors. Find an object (a flower, a chair, etc.) and focus on that object for two to three minutes. Notice everything about it: it’s shape, color, texture, etc. Focus only on that object. Let your brain be consumed by it. If you find yourself wandering or being distracted, re-focus. This type of focus helps your brain relax as well as fine-tunes it to be in the present. If you practice this daily you can begin increasing your focus time.
For more information, please contact Dr. Wagner at 661-644-5454.