Practical Mindfulness

Often when I first introduce my clients to mindfulness meditation, they often imagine a monk on a mountain, legs crossed, and chanting. This is the way some meditate however this is not the way everyone meditates or accesses mindfulness.

Sometimes, I think going to a remote setting like the top of a mountain in complete silence where I can be still sounds glorious….Other times, I think it sounds awful as well as impractical. Between juggling a full-time job, private practice, housework, being a mommy, wife, daughter, friend, woman, and more, it seems near impossible…Therefore, I look for more practical ways of implementing mindfulness into my everyday life. After all, practicing mindfulness routinely is valuable. It’s like a muscle, use it often and it will get stronger… don’t use it and it will atrophy. 

I have found integrating my senses into my mindfulness practice is very connective and grounding…also I can do this anywhere! I can do this on a walk with my boys, out on my porch by myself, in between sessions, eating lunch, showering, putting on makeup. Wherever!  I integrate my senses with mindfulness with what I call mindfulness with the 5 senses…clever huh? No, not really, but easy to remember! Just think 5, 4, 3, 2, 1. 

5 things I see, 4 things I am touching, 3 things I hear, 2 things I smell, and 1 thing I taste. 

Practice it regularly so that when you need it you can access your baseline/calm more efficiently. We have fire drills for a reason…we have emergency exits, signs, maps, and drills so we know how to get out of the building in case of a fire. Why not do the same for our emotions by practice emotionally regulating skills regularly so we know what to do in case of dysregulation? 

Give it a try, let me know how it goes!