Mindfulness: What It Is & Top Tips for Using it 

Hey there, have you ever heard of mindfulness? It's a powerful tool that can help you feel more focused, less stressed and more connected to the present moment.

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So what exactly is mindfulness? It's a way of paying attention to your thoughts, feelings and surroundings without judgement. It's all about being present in the moment and fully engaging with your experiences!

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Mindfulness can be really helpful because it can help you manage stress, anxiety and other difficult moods. By practicing mindfulness, you can learn to observe your thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in the past or future.. and this will hopefully mean that you don't get so overwhelmed!

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There are many different ways to practice mindfulness from simple breathing exercises to more structured meditation practices. Here are our top tips for using mindfulness in your everyday life:

 

1. Get started by closing your eyes, taking a few deep breaths, and then allowing your breath to settle into its natural rhythm. As you breathe, try to notice any physical sensations in your body, such as the rise and fall of your chest or the feeling of the air moving in and out of your nostrils. If your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to your breath without judgment.

 

2. Take a few moments during your day to focus on your senses, such as how something tastes or smells or the sounds you can hear around you!

 

3. Music can help too! Try searching for some mindfulness meditations or soundtracks on Spotify and add them to your Feel Better playlist on MoodyTunes. You might be surprised by how much mindfulness can help!

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Dr. Fran Doyle (PhD), Clinical Psychologist

Western Sydney University