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Jade Stanton: Beginner's Guide To Mindfulness

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A beginner’s guide to mindfulness couldn’t possibly teach you everything you need to know in order to master the art. Yet even a very basic understanding can give you amazing insight into your thoughts and emotions. Here are a few quick steps to get you started.

 

What is mindfulness?

 

Mindfulness is waking up from the distracting influences of life in order to experience it in full. For example, distractions can include things like overwhelming emotions, addictive urges, negative thoughts, and even physical pain. We gain freedom by living in the present moment without judging ourselves or our experiences, and without pushing emotions away by numbing or suppressing them.

 

Beginner's Guide to Mindfulness

How do I begin doing this?

 

Thankfully, the process is quite simple. The hard part is practicing often enough that the habit of controlling attention becomes second-nature. There are three basic steps:

  • Bring all of your attention to focus on one thing. Notice the thoughts and feelings that come up without analyzing them or reacting to them.
  • Identify what you notice, using language that is factual. Don’t add in assumptions, judgmental statements, or interpretations. Stick to what you observe with your five senses.
  • Allow the experience within you to occur. Recognize distractions but gently come back to experiencing the present moment.

As you learn to control your attention, you will no longer need a beginner’s guide to mindfulness. Through practice, you can create countless moments of peace throughout your day and enter into the flow of life as it happens.

 

What’s the next step?

 

Before you begin searching for your favorite mindfulness techniques, take a moment to reflect. What people, things, or situations need more of your attention? What distracts you the most? Which thoughts and feelings have you been pushing away?

Do you find yourself ruminating a lot? Which worries do you want to decrease?

And don’t forget about those positive experiences! What types of things can you pay more attention to that give you pleasant thoughts and emotions?

Grab a sheet of paper and write down some of your mindfulness goals. List the things you want to be more aware of, and why. And then get ready to take action towards living a mindful life!

 

Beginner's Guide to Mindfulness

 

If you would like some help creating a mindfulness lifestyle that fits your schedule and your personality, click the button below to ask about our one-on-one coaching programs! You’ll be a master of mindfulness in no time!