mindfulness explained

Mindfulness is all the rage!  Did you know that meditation simply means “focused awareness”? Given that definition anything can be turned into meditation. Use this simple acronym: THRIVE and practice one or more of them to improve your brain health and increase your awareness of what is happening in the moment.

THRIVE
T- Thankfulness
H- Humor
R- Rest
I  Inspiration
V- Visualize
E- Empathy
 
Thankfulness- practice gratitude by finding 3 things you are grateful for every day.

Humor- laughter is the best medicine and can instantly diffuse a stress response. Find something to laugh about or watch a funny video.

Rest- getting enough sleep is important but so are brain breaks throughout the day. Step away from work and breath, laugh or visualize a calming place.

Inspiration- Breath! Find a breathing technique that you like best.  Try inhaling to the count of 4 and exhaling to the count of 6 or 8. Or try to picture blowing up a balloon with your exhale and inhaling that air back into your lungs.

Visualize- Our mind works in images. Visualization is so powerful there is an entire industry devoted to it – Sports Psychology!  Athletes visualize making the play and practice feeling the sensations associated with that success. Try imagining a scenario that you will be in and create the picture of how you want it to be.  

Empathy- most people have no problem feeling empathy for others but have you tried to give yourself the same kind of compassion?  Imagine talking to yourself as you would a friend. Say kind and encouraging words to yourself, every cell in your body is listening. ​