Mindfulness…Does It Really Work?

The short answer is yes it does! The long answer is, it takes practice (wait, that wasn’t a very long answer). Like anything, mindfulness has to be unique to you, in order for you to really enjoy what you are doing and therefore ensuring you will practice and use it. Practicing mindfulness allows you to access it when you really need it, it will come naturally to you. Versus feeling like something you are trying to force, for instance while you are in the middle of a panic attack.

A list of my favourite mindfulness exercises are below. Check them out and let me know what you think.

• Box Breathing: Breathing in for a count of 4, hold for a count of 4, breath out for a count of 4 and hold for a count of 4. Repeat 7-10 times.

• Yoga Poses: Cat/cow, mountain pose, child’s pose. Breath in and out through each pose. Pay attention to your breath, be gentle.

• 5 senses: What are 5 things you can see, what are 4 things you can hear, what are 3 things you can smell, what are 2 things you can touch, and what is 1 thing you can taste. Order of senses is up to you.