Simple Ways to Find a Daily Moment of Mindfulness
If you’ve ever felt the need to de-stress, refocus, or reenergize in the middle of your day, practicing Mindfulness may help. Mindfulness, a form of meditation, involves “being intensely aware of what you’re sensing and feeling at every moment…without interpretation.”
These days, we could all use a moment or two to clear our mind and decompress. Mindfulness Meditation is one of our favorite ways to find a moment to bring awareness to our body and mind. While this practice might sound complicated, there are plenty of simple ways to practice Mindfulness Meditation at home!
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) – a National Institute of Health agency which conducts and supports research on complementary health products and practices – both the general public and scientific community have demonstrated a growing interest in meditation practices such as Mindfulness Meditation.
These practices can help to support individual wellness in a number of ways, including improved quality of life and a reduction of psychological stress. Though meditation has been used for centuries to help promote calmness of mind and relaxation, more recent research suggests that specific and measurable biological changes occur during meditative practice that may potentially impact both physical and mental health. There are many forms of meditation, from simple breathing exercises to repeating a mantra.
The next time you feel the need to decompress or re-energize, we suggest trying one of the following methods to bring a moment of mindfulness to your day:
Mindfulness Meditation
Mindfulness Meditation can be practiced just about anywhere and can help you to clear your mind, refocus, and de-stress in minutes. As its name suggests, Mindfulness Meditation focuses on being mindful and aware of the present:
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Take a few moments to steady the flow of your breath and bring awareness to your senses.
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Try to prevent your mind from wandering from the present moment. Though it sounds easy enough, you may find that it’s surprisingly difficult to focus on the present without your mind becoming distracted!
Set aside a few moments each day for Mindfulness Meditation, and you’ll likely find that the benefits of meditation – such as a relaxed and focused mind – become easier to achieve with regular practice.
Practice Yoga
Practicing yoga doesn’t require a gym membership or yoga mat – in fact, there are a number of Yoga poses that you can perform in minutes no matter your location. Try one of the yoga poses printed on the side of your Yogi tea carton to bring awareness to your body and mind. One of our favorites: Yoga to Set Your Tension Free, which you can find on the side carton panel of our Calming tea. This pose can be held in an office chair, making it a great way to focus your mind while working from home:
Yoga to Set Your Tension Free
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Sit cross-legged or in a chair with a straight spine.
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Place hands on your knees with your arms straight.
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Breathe long and deep and consciously. Understand your breath is for your being.
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Hold the pose for 3 minutes.
Deep Breathing
One of the most simple ways to begin a meditative practice is through Deep Breathing:
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Find a quiet, comfortable space, and spend a few minutes taking deep, slow breaths in and out through your nostrils.
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Try to keep your mind focused on the flow of your breath, rather than internal or external distractions.
Enjoy a Cup of Tea
Another great way to de-stress and re-center? Drinking a cup of Yogi tea! Taking the time to prepare and enjoy a warm cup of tea can help you to slow down and bring awareness to your senses. Similar to the practice of Mindfulness Meditation, taking note of your senses:
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What does the tea taste like?
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How about its aroma?
This encourages you to be more aware of your body and mind, and present in the current moment.
Teas from our Sleep & Stress Relief collection are a great choice if you’re looking to unwind or distress; while Yogi Energy teas make for a refreshing and delicious pick-me-up any time of the day.
