Stress - we all know what it feels like. The signs of stress experienced by each person may vary, but there are many common symptoms. These include physical symptoms such as headache, stomachache and muscle tension. Emotional symptoms may include impatience, anxiety, crying, even depression. Stress is an inevitable part of life, but the way in which we deal with it can make a big difference. There are healthy and unhealthy ways to relieve stress. When we take a mindful approach to dealing with stress, we are more likely to respond in ways that preserve our health and improve our chances of managing the stress.
Many people have heard of mindfulness practice or mindfulness stress reduction. There are many programs and classes now offered that focus on this. But exactly what is mindfulness and how can it help you? One simple definition of mindfulness is "nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment". This sounds relatively easy, but in practice, it can be challenging. Quietly tuning in to what is happening inside you and making no judgment about it can be hard. We are trained to impose an evaluation on just about everything. This is nothing to feel bad about. Making judgments can be very useful, and is critical in many situations. But being aware of our internal states does not require this when we are working on calming the mind and seeing things clearly. Practicing mindfulness is an effort, but well worth it. Like so many things, the more you practice, the more skilled you will become.
A generation ago, it would have been rare to hear the terms "yoga" and "mental health" in the same sentence. Now it is common. Yoga is recognized as a powerful method of improving one's mental and physical health, and comes in many forms that can be tailored for individual needs. The physical forms of yoga ("hatha") are excellent for increasing strength, flexibility and stamina. The mind-focused aspects of yoga have potential to improve clarity of mind and focus. In fact, the physical asanas of yoga were developed thousands of years ago to help settle and prepare the body and mind for meditation. Many people report feeling more at peace after practicing mindfulness within a yoga session.
Whether you focus on meditation, mindfulness, yoga or all three, you will be taking an active approach to reducing stress and improving your overall mental and physical health. Many people get overwhelmed thinking about starting a meditation practice or yoga. It is fine to start small. In fact, it is probably better to start with just a few minutes of meditation at a time (two to five minutes is more than enough). You might find that even this is challenging! It is often helpful to practice your meditation at the same time every day, so that your mind can get into the rhythm of it. Similarly, many people find it easier to practice yoga at the same time every day. A basic yoga class or even a video is a fine way to start and will allow you to become comfortable with the routine. You will soon find that the physical aspects of yoga are amazingly helpful for reducing stress. Even just a few simple postures, practiced each morning, can offer an invigorating yet calming way to start your day.
Stress management is a topic we hear a lot about. Since we all experience stress, it is important to learn healthy ways to deal with it. Yoga, meditation and mindfulness offer powerful ways to manage stress while increasing resiliency and mental focus. No matter who you are, or what the challenges may be, it's never too late to learn more and begin using these transformative practices.
Many people have heard of mindfulness practice or mindfulness stress reduction. There are many programs and classes now offered that focus on this. But exactly what is mindfulness and how can it help you? One simple definition of mindfulness is "nonjudgmental awareness of the present moment". This sounds relatively easy, but in practice, it can be challenging. Quietly tuning in to what is happening inside you and making no judgment about it can be hard. We are trained to impose an evaluation on just about everything. This is nothing to feel bad about. Making judgments can be very useful, and is critical in many situations. But being aware of our internal states does not require this when we are working on calming the mind and seeing things clearly. Practicing mindfulness is an effort, but well worth it. Like so many things, the more you practice, the more skilled you will become.
A generation ago, it would have been rare to hear the terms "yoga" and "mental health" in the same sentence. Now it is common. Yoga is recognized as a powerful method of improving one's mental and physical health, and comes in many forms that can be tailored for individual needs. The physical forms of yoga ("hatha") are excellent for increasing strength, flexibility and stamina. The mind-focused aspects of yoga have potential to improve clarity of mind and focus. In fact, the physical asanas of yoga were developed thousands of years ago to help settle and prepare the body and mind for meditation. Many people report feeling more at peace after practicing mindfulness within a yoga session.
Whether you focus on meditation, mindfulness, yoga or all three, you will be taking an active approach to reducing stress and improving your overall mental and physical health. Many people get overwhelmed thinking about starting a meditation practice or yoga. It is fine to start small. In fact, it is probably better to start with just a few minutes of meditation at a time (two to five minutes is more than enough). You might find that even this is challenging! It is often helpful to practice your meditation at the same time every day, so that your mind can get into the rhythm of it. Similarly, many people find it easier to practice yoga at the same time every day. A basic yoga class or even a video is a fine way to start and will allow you to become comfortable with the routine. You will soon find that the physical aspects of yoga are amazingly helpful for reducing stress. Even just a few simple postures, practiced each morning, can offer an invigorating yet calming way to start your day.
Stress management is a topic we hear a lot about. Since we all experience stress, it is important to learn healthy ways to deal with it. Yoga, meditation and mindfulness offer powerful ways to manage stress while increasing resiliency and mental focus. No matter who you are, or what the challenges may be, it's never too late to learn more and begin using these transformative practices.
About the Author:
Learn more about mental health and physical health which are greatly improved through mindfulness meditation, mindfulness stress reduction, and yoga.
0 comments:
Enregistrer un commentaire