Wellness Wisdom: Bristles and Steam
A mindful state is achieved by focusing your awareness on the current moment, while peacefully acknowledging the thoughts, bodily sensations, and feelings being felt in the moment. Many people see mindful practices in the form of mediation, or something that results in pausing our everyday life. This is not always the case.You can practice mindfulness during tasks like brushing your teeth and showering.
Depending on the day, your shower can be a rushed event or something used to wind down and relax. On days that are rushed, often times thoughts will race through our minds as we shower, concerned about what we need to get done. Try to focus on what is happening in the present to practice mindfulness in the shower. Think about things like, the water pressure, the steam in the shower, the scent of the soaps you are using, and the feeling of water running off your body, to practice mindfulness.
Much like showering, brushing your teeth is an activity that can get overshadowed by other things that keep our mind racing. When brushing your teeth try to think about how the bristles feel, the circular motion of the brush, the grip on the handle. In an mindful practice, think about each aspect of the experience to put yourself in the present.
Mindfulness has proven to help with:
- Self-control
- Tolerance
- Improved concentration
- Clarity
- Emotional intelligence
There are many benefits to mindfulness and starting and ending your day with a mindful activity can be a great place to begin.
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References:
https://www.gracewoodtherapy.com/blog/2018/9/4/how-to-take-a-mindful-shower
https://www.headspace.com/articles/brush-brush-brush-your-teeth