Meditation isn\u2019t a new concept. People have been meditating since the beginning of time in an attempt to slow down and train their minds. Since then, the popularity of meditation has grown exponentially. Now approximately 400-500 million people practice meditation on a regular basis.\u00a0There is no doubt that meditation offers some emotional and health benefits, and that\u2019s why I wanted to offer you some of my favorite mindfulness techniques.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mindfulness Yoga\u00a0is a type of meditation where you\u2019re intensely aware of the things you\u2019re feeling at that moment. By using a variety of techniques, you become \u201cmindful\u201d of your body, your emotions, and your surroundings. This can be used to ground you to the moment, which will benefit your personal life. But, if you apply it to your business, you\u2019ll be able to grow and shape it like never before.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, becoming mindful takes some practice, especially if you\u2019re not used to meditating. So, here is a list of mindfulness techniques to help you get started.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
We often get so busy that we don\u2019t notice things in our immediate surroundings; causing stress, lost opportunities, or even putting us in danger. We have to slow down and learn how to see our world through every sense we have: sight, taste, smell, touch, and hearing. The more we practice paying attention, the easier it will be to notice things when we become busy. Essentially, this can help us feel more in control. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cliche, I know, but it\u2019s true. Looking at the past can cause stress and depression, and looking to the future may cause anxiety. Living in the moment takes the pressure off us and gives us the freedom to enjoy life as it is without judgment or fear. Plus, we\u2019ll be more open to finding joy in the little things- like a pair of leaves dancing in the autumn breeze; a simple pleasure that we can only experience if we live in the moment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
For some of us, this will be the worst part of learning mindfulness. We\u2019re so used to scrutinizing every mistake, every flaw, that it\u2019s hard to accept ourselves without some form of judgment. However, mindfulness also helps us understand our inner world, and it can teach us to love ourselves without reservation. In the meantime, you can practice acceptance by treating yourself like you\u2019d treat a good friend or partner. Give yourself some slack when you make mistakes, praise yourself for your accomplishments, and treat yourself as you\u2019d want others to treat you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Like with meditation, your breathing plays a big part in being mindful and can help when you\u2019re feeling down or out of control. When that happens, find a safe place to sit down, close your eyes, and focus on your breath as it enters and exits your body. Doing this exercise for a minute or more can help you regain control of your emotions, clear your mind, and reduce your stress. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While the examples above are more quick-and-dirty techniques to help you practice mindfulness on the fly, walking meditation is more structured and takes time and concentration. To begin, find a space that\u2019s 10-20 feet long and as quiet as possible. It can be a hallway, conference room, or a stretch of the sidewalk \u2013 whichever you prefer. Start walking in one direction and take note of the sensations as you go. Your feet hitting the floor, the subtle airflow on your skin, how your body shifts to keep balance, and the rhythm of your breathing. If any disruptive thoughts or emotions try to intrude, take note of them, push them away, and continue focusing on your body. When you get to the end of your path, turn and repeat as many times as needed. Not only will this exercise increase your awareness and calm your mind, but it will also give your body the boost of energy you need to get through the day. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the beginning, you\u2019ll want to practice these mindfulness techniques every day for about six months. You can do the smaller techniques anywhere at any time, but you\u2019ll want to set aside some dedicated time if you plan to practice something more in-depth, like walking meditation. Once the six months are up, being mindful should come naturally to you, and you will start to see the effects manifest in your daily life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Now that you have an idea of how to practice mindfulness, I want to give you some examples of why you should apply mindfulness meditation to your workplace or business. Mindfulness meditation can help us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In other words, practicing mindfulness can make us better entrepreneurs because we\u2019re more apt to feel confident about our decisions, empathize with our clients and employees, and be able to focus on the things that matter most. And, as we grow as entrepreneurs and leaders, so will our business grow. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
When we practice mindfulness, we can\u2019t lose.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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