Mindfulness: Using the power of your brain and breath to improve your focus and wellbeing

Did you know mindfulness meditation can change your brain, your body, and your life?

The good news: Simple mindfulness techniques like paced breathing and progressive muscle relaxation have countless benefits, like:

• decreasing stress and anxiety
• improving mood
• heightening your focus
• helping you sleep
• relaxing your nervous system - getting you out of fight or flight and into relaxation mode

The GREAT news: All you need to reap these benefits is between your ears and within your body, accessible to you anytime and anywhere - your brain and your breath. 

It is one thing that doesn't require apps or devices (though there are plenty of great apps that can help you get started - personally, I love Headspace).

Mindfulness strategies are available in the comfort of your home, your car, or in your favorite places - whether the mountains or the beach.

What does mindfulness look like?

Well, anything you want it to.

I took this photo 4 years ago on a trip to Big Sur - one of my absolute favorite places to sit, relax, meditate, just “be,” or - honestly - to do just about anything.  

My mindfulness practice that day consisted of sitting on the beach, toes in the sand, breeze on my skin, soaking up the sounds and the sunshine - breathing deeply the scent of salty air.

Relaxing doesn’t even begin to describe how I felt that day.

But, we all know that’s not everyday life - at least for most of us.

In fact, today - like on 99.99% of days - I find myself far from the beach, balancing all of the things while trying to efficiently check them off the never-ending to do list.

And, guess what? Mindfulness practices still work.

Period.

In fact, I would argue they work better in the hustle and bustle of today than they did on Pfeiffer Beach 4 years ago - all because practice makes (near) perfect.

Now, since my mind has had more practice with mindfulness, relaxing breathing exercises, and meditation, often times my mindful moments consist of sneaking a few mindful breathing minutes here and there while my toddler naps or a quick Headspace session over my lunch break in clinic.

Overall, it takes less time for me to reap the benefits now than it ever has.

That's because our brains love routine and become more efficient at mindfulness and meditation the more we practice - literally changing the structure and function of our brain. 

The benefits that once came with a 20-minute meditation session are much more easily obtained within a fraction of that once we get enough good old-fashioned consistent practice. 

Wondering if you might benefit from a little mindfulness practice?

See if any of these describe you:

• Stressing about your stress?
• Looking to quiet the monkey mind chatter to get a good night’s rest?
• Need to calm your nerves and sharpen your focus before that big presentation? 
• Wanting to disconnect from work stress before heading home for family time, mom duty, and everything else on your plate?

If so, mindfulness meditation is one tool that may help.

As with just about anything, it is beneficial to practice it before we need it - just like learning to swim before jumping into the deep end, rehearsing a speech before stepping up to the mic, or practicing your jump shot at the gym in preparation for the big game. 

So, now is as good of a time as any to start.

Get your head in the game and start harnessing the power you have in your brain and your breath to level up your life - at home, work, and play.