Taking Mindfulness Seriously
ROXY ALLNUTT
The Science is too good to ignore. Practising mindfulness can increase attention span and intimacy, decrease stress, and improve mood.
9 JUN - 2022
This write-up is dedicated to all the busy women who struggle to chill out
I used to think mindfulness was the outcome of hours of mediations, going to retreats, practising mantras, and yin. Something that only when I hit rock bottom, I would implement into my life like some type of rehab. Today, as a busy woman juggling different roles and trying to do more and more, my yoga mat has stayed curled up under the couch since my quarantine pilates workouts (I wish me and the flatty were still on track for our ab goals *sigh*). Since those quarantine periods, everything has been hustle and bustle. The whole day can fly by, and I don't even notice that I've been on auto-pilot, always misplacing my keys, pulling into the driveway but having zero memory of the drive. I focus so much on crossing off my to-do list that I forget to notice the moments I am actually in.
However, my Instagram feed, TikTok, and even my directed advertisements have actually been A LOT of meditation applications, playlists, and podcasts… Okay, thank you, FB robot, for being a bit too on to it. But as a sucker for trying to better my lifestyle, I have begun my practice. The first thing I learned is that mindfulness is not so much a thought or philosophy; it is actually a way of BEING.
And to actually "Be" means remembering to pause long enough to let moments sink in without rushing to the next thing. What I really love is the emphasis on the senses in these moments. Practising being awake and seeing what's in front of you more clearly, hearing what's around you, both in the foreground and the background. This all works in beautiful ways to experience life more fully.
If I haven't convinced you already, studies also show us that practising mindfulness can increase attention span and intimacy, decrease stress, help you fall asleep and improve mood. The science is too good to ignore. I have found myself more productive and creative in my past few months of commitment. It comes down to the word "commitment." Did I scare you off?
I know you're busy.
I'm busy.
So I have left below some handy tools that can help you introduce mindfulness into each of your hectic days. And in my opinion, committing to this is 10 times easier than a gym.
Stretch
Yes, literally stretching. This was my first port of call. Listen to your body and stretch every limb and ligament that you feel needs a pull for at least two minutes. Doing a body scan from head to toe will help find these niggly spots. Even just taking an extension of the arms down to your feet. Listen to your breath, feel your warmth. Take 30 seconds to breathe in between each hold.
Headspace
This is a super aesthetically pleasing, easy to navigate app that you may have seen online already. Perks to this one is how easy it is to use, and it's pretty much free! (Under a subscription, there's more content - standard). With Headspace, you can choose how long you want to meditate, even what type of meditation you feel like doing. For example, anger management or taking a self-care walk (obviously for our Hot Girl Walkers).
Calm
Like Headspace, but HARRY STYLES is one of the sexy voices you can fall asleep to. Calm is listed as the number one app for mental fitness. I rate Calm for its focus on storytelling with peaceful and instantly calming magic. White noise, raining sequences, Calm just gets it. A go-to for nights when your busy mind just won't quit.
SOMM (School Of Modern Meditation)
SOMM is a meditation school in Auckland. Every week, they offer several practices that you can stream into alongside a class. They also have a studio in the city for corporate heads who require recharging during their lunch breaks! I got into their breath classes and sleeping sessions that give you the tools to switch into a meditative state whenever you need it.
Sound doable? I hope this helps press the pause button in moments of your life.
"Better living, everyone"
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