For more blog posts like this, head to www.mindfulmoose.ca Walking
I love my morning walks they have become a daily ritual I look forward to. Some days I exit my house with a mind full of chatter, I can walk for an hour and return home unaware of the experience, I have been in my head for the entire journey. I live just behind a beautiful provincial park, so to wander through this amazing park and not truly notice it – well, that is just criminal.
I have found if I set an intention for my walk I can remain somewhat present to the experience. ‘somewhat.’ Our minds naturally wander through thoughts, and that is okay; when I notice my thoughts drifting to the chatter, I take a deep breath and bring myself back to the moment.
At the beginning of my walk, I take a moment to just breathe in the air, being aware of my breath as I inhale and exhale. Once I start walking I cycle through my senses. Sights, sounds, scents. Today I started by observing the trees and the changing colors, the sky, and the clouds, the bright pink sun, the birds, and insects. Next, I listened to the sounds surrounding me, the wind through the leaves, the pounding step of the runner that just passed me, the river moving by me and the plane overhead. What can you smell? Today it was the scent of freshly fallen leaves and crisp morning air.
Now soften all your senses and take in the experience, be mindful of your surroundings and your place within them. Open your heart with gratitude and appreciation for the beauty that surrounds you.
Embrace the moment! To see more posts like this, head to www.mindfulmoose.ca
Mindful Moose #breathing #mindful #mindfulness #nature #walking #distractions #gratitude #mindfulblog #blogger #blogpost #naturephoto #mindfullife #mindfulmoose #canada #photography #photoshoot #mindfulblogger
Today I’d like you to close your eyes for 2 minutes, place your hands on your upper abdomen and breathe. Breathe into your belly filling it up and releasing the breath. Notice the motion of your hands as your abdomen expands and relaxes. If your mind wanders, acknowledge the thought and let it go, gently bringing your attention back to your hands and your breath. When ready, open your eyes.
Now bring awareness to the image in the picture. Pay attention to the picture without labeling what is before you. Soften your eyes and expand your attention. What colors do you see? How many different colors do you count? Look closely at the various shades and hues. Is the image blurry or clear? What shapes and objects are present?
If you become restless or distracted. If your mind wanders to other thoughts, gently notice that your mind has drifted and bring it back to the picture.
With compassion and an open heart, become aware of your feelings when looking at the image. Continue to be kind to yourself, look at the picture with a sense of interest, kindness, curiosity and a compassionate awareness.
Stay with the picture for a few minutes, fully aware of the image in front of you. After a few moments, take another deep cleansing breath. Check in with yourself, how are you feeling? My wish is that you feel calm and centered.
Embrace the moment!
For more mindfulness posts head to www.mindfulmoose.ca
#MindfulMoment #Hands #Mindfulness #Photo #Breathing #MindfulBreathing #Calm #MindfulPause #hand #mindfulmoose #moose #mindfuljourney #mindfulnessmatters #mindfulblog #blogger #blogpost
Mindful pauses are opportunities and reminders to pause and bring your full attention to the present moment at any point in the day. These moments will provide a chance to find calmness and connection in an often rushed and frantically paced world.
Pause and become aware of sensations in your body. Do you notice tightness anywhere? Are your shoulders raised up toward your ears? Is your brow furrowed? Can you soften those areas?
Now bring your attention inward to your breath. Notice your breath rise and fall naturally. Slowly breathe in for the count of 5, hold for 5 counts and exhale for 5 counts and hold. If your mind wanders simply return your attention to the breath and begin again. Each time your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the sensations of breathing. Do this 5 times.
Now bring awareness to the image. Pay attention to the picture without labeling what is before you. Soften your eyes and expand your attention. What colors do you see? How many different colors do you count? Look closely at the various shades and hues. What shapes and objects are present?
If you become restless or distracted. If your mind wanders to other thoughts gently notice that your mind has drifted and bring it back to the picture.
Stay with the picture for a few minutes, fully aware of the image in front of you. After a few minutes, take another deep cleansing breath. Check in with yourself, how are you feeling? My wish is that you feel calm and centered.
Embrace the moment!
Check out my blog at mindfulmoose.ca #mindful #mindfulness #mindfulmoose #breathing #calmnessofmind #calming #calmdown #breathe #moose #solareclipse #solareclipse2017 #eclipse
The average person takes about 15 breaths a minute. Breathing is something we do with little thought. However, when we are feeling angry, anxious or frightened our breathing quickens and oxygen moves from our brains and is sent to our limbs in a Fight, Flee or Freeze response. The part of our brain responsible for this is called the amygdala and its primary purpose is to keep us safe, but it can sometimes think we are in danger when we really aren’t. When we are in a Fight, Flee or Freeze response and less oxygen is reaching our brains, we often fail to think clearly. This is when we have to get more oxygen back to our brains and we can do this by paying attention to out breathing.
I remember being told to breathe when I became anxious prior to exams; but breathing in and out often left me feeling more anxious and often is a state of panic. The advice to breathe slowly was sound but what I failed to know was that there was an art to slowing my breath.
Square breathing was introduced to me by an elementary school teacher and it has become so beneficial to not only me but others who are trying to calm themselves. It is very simple.
With your finger, trace a square in the air. Each line of the square should take four slow counts.
Now breathe in for the first line of the square, as you are breathing slowly count …1,2,3,4
Hold your breath for four counts as you trace the second line … 1,2,3,4
Exhale for four counts while still tracing the square … 1,2,3,4
And hold for four counts as you trace the last line … 1,2,3,4
Continue inhaling, holding, exhaling and holding for 2 minutes. Check in with yourself, how are you feeling? Like anything new, learning ‘calming breath’ takes practice. Be patient with the process and with yourself. Practice throughout your day and as you improve you will likely be able to increase the hold count for a longer stretch.
Thank you, MindfulMoose.ca
To find the video mentioned in this post, go to https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs559guIGDo. #mindfulness #breathing #moose #mindful #blogger #blog #squarebreathing #mindfulmoose #calming
