balance
Mindful Living
08/21/09
Personally, I am terrible at meditation. I do well if I am guided as in a yoga class, but on my own I have a terrible time clearing my mind. I do well, however, at relaxing while I run. I get in a groove and after a few minutes I loose myself in the rhythm of the movement. Both meditation and exercise are great ways to manage stress, so thank goodness for running.
Living a mindful life is about living in the present. It is about being aware of what is going on around us and within us.This is not a new concept and has been a part of Eastern philosophy for centuries. As humans we get caught up in what happened or what is going to happen. We keep chasing after things we believe will bring us happiness. We fill our days with stuff: activities that keep us busy so that we are always in a hurry. We live under a blanket of self created stress.
Of course, we burn out. We are overstimulated, over-scheduled, and over-stressed. We even think we like it that way! At least, I did. (I shouldn’t really speak for everyone.) I thought I worked at my best when I was on a deadline. The stress catapulted me forward, revved up my adrenaline, and made me feel powerful. At least, until it was done. Then I would be exhausted. This life is unsustainable. Something eventually gives. For some, the wake-up call may be a heart attack, for others an emotional meltdown, but no matter how it manifests, it is not healthy.
You have probably heard about mindful eating. The diet industry frequently discusses this in the context of eating less, but what does it mean? Eating mindfully means paying attention to the taste and texture of each bite. Activities such as eating in front of the TV promote consumption, but eating mindfully helps to define our relationship with food. It is about how and why we eat not about what we eat. Food should bring sensual pleasure as well as nourishment to our lives.
Mindfulness is about truly listening; to ourselves, to the people around us, to the sounds, textures, and flavors of what is occurring now. What is bringing us energy or peace? What is causing us disruption? Learning this brings us the power of choice. Check out these 10 tips for mindful living and practice living a life in balance.
Living a life of personal balance, moderation, education, and connection.
Living a mindful life is about living in the present. It is about being aware of what is going on around us and within us.This is not a new concept and has been a part of Eastern philosophy for centuries. As humans we get caught up in what happened or what is going to happen. We keep chasing after things we believe will bring us happiness. We fill our days with stuff: activities that keep us busy so that we are always in a hurry. We live under a blanket of self created stress.
Of course, we burn out. We are overstimulated, over-scheduled, and over-stressed. We even think we like it that way! At least, I did. (I shouldn’t really speak for everyone.) I thought I worked at my best when I was on a deadline. The stress catapulted me forward, revved up my adrenaline, and made me feel powerful. At least, until it was done. Then I would be exhausted. This life is unsustainable. Something eventually gives. For some, the wake-up call may be a heart attack, for others an emotional meltdown, but no matter how it manifests, it is not healthy.
You have probably heard about mindful eating. The diet industry frequently discusses this in the context of eating less, but what does it mean? Eating mindfully means paying attention to the taste and texture of each bite. Activities such as eating in front of the TV promote consumption, but eating mindfully helps to define our relationship with food. It is about how and why we eat not about what we eat. Food should bring sensual pleasure as well as nourishment to our lives.
Mindfulness is about truly listening; to ourselves, to the people around us, to the sounds, textures, and flavors of what is occurring now. What is bringing us energy or peace? What is causing us disruption? Learning this brings us the power of choice. Check out these 10 tips for mindful living and practice living a life in balance.
Living a life of personal balance, moderation, education, and connection.
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