Wellness As A Lifestyle
Wellness has become a buzz word, yet its power is incredible. Mindfulness is studied and agreed upon by yogis and neuroscientists alike, and
meditation has been proven to rewire our brains and create new neural pathways.
Then why is it so hard?
Perhaps it is because we live in a culture that requires processes and compliance, yet mindfulness is deeply personal. It is fluid and doesn't require a special pillow, pose, alter or guru. You simply need the desire to live an intentional life and a burgeoning awareness of self.
As you begin to live intentionally, you'll notice when you need to take a break, and exactly what your brain, body or soul need in that moment. You begin to understand that a quick run will clear your mind, or the answer you are looking for is on the other side of your meditation. You begin to perform better at work and your relationships flourish.
The only thing required?
A commitment to self.
All else falls in line once you make the brave decision to understand how you operate, and what you most need to perform at your highest levels emotionally, mentally and physically. So many have let mindfulness fall under "self care,” and placed it on the shelf with the rose and bergamot candles, yet it allows you to take control of your command center; your brain and body. It signals neurotransmitters, creates focus, perspective and the list continues.
Mindfulness Practices To Try
Breath work refers to practices in which the conscious control of breath influences your state. While breathing mindfully it is very difficult to concentrate on much else, and is many times the gateway to a meditative state.
Meditative practices include breath, guided, mantra and sound, and can be found on many apps such as LIV Pocket Coach for Apple. What you will find over time is that it is not the quality of the meditation, but the value seen in the life lived between your practice.
Sensory experiences are an incredible way to establish presence and light up areas of your brain that allow your limbic system to rest. Simply becoming deeply aware of your senses at a given time creates space. If you follow this immersive experience with gratitude, you begin to tap into serotonin, your “feel good” hormone.
As you grow in your mindfulness practices you will find they adjust and change as you do. They truly become a commitment to yourself, and effectively, everyone you love and live life alongside, now and into the future.