Why be Mindful?

What is Mindfulness?

By now, you've probably heard about the term mindfulness, but do you understand what it is?

Mindfulness means paying full attention to something. It means really noticing what you're doing.

Being mindful is the opposite of rushing or multitasking. When you're mindful, you take your time. You focus in a relaxed and easy way. You can be mindful almost anywhere at any time!

You can be mindful when you're in the shower and your mind is calm, it can be those few seconds before you score a goal and everything around you gets quiet, it can even be while you're while you enjoy your favourite snack as you savour each bite.

The Benefits of Mindfulness

Being mindful helps people in just about every part of life! Being mindful can help you:

• Pay attention to tasks and focus better

• Teaches you how to be get less distracted

• Learn better

• Stay calm under stress

• Regulate and manage emotions

• Slow down your mind and body

• Be a better listener to others

• Increase your patience

• Relate to and get along better with others

• Feel happier

• Find joy in the simple thing

• Build your resilience skills

Watch the video below to find out more about mindfulness, it’s benefits and learn some tips to help you deal with the never ending thoughts in your head!

Mindful Breathing Tips & Exercises

It's natural for us to feel low, sad, frustrated or angry sometimes, after all, we're only human. These are not bad feelings to have- but we don't want to feel them for too long, or it can impact our long term health physically and mentally.

To help ourselves feel calmer, happier and better, research shows us that breathing can change our mood and our brains for the better!

Here are some types of breathing you can try:

Rainbow Breathing

Square Breathing

Tip: Youtube has some incredible mindfulness exercises for all ages. I've included some of my favourite youtube breathing exercise and their links below. Here we're looking at breathing in particular, but there are all sorts of ways to practice mindfulness, so find the way that works best for you!

Go Zen Body Scan Meditation

Five Finger Breathing

Triangle Breathing

Mindful Colouring

There is no right or wrong way to practice mindful colouring. Try to focus on the activity at hand, and be fully present if you can. If you enjoy this, search online for mindful colouring templates. There are also lots of mindful colouring books for children and adults now available.

Here are a few templates you can download and try.