Mindfulness and meditation - does it help?

The Power of Mindfulness in Managing Stress
In short - YES!

I believe that mindfulness is an essential component of whole body wellness, and critical to reaching your physical goals. When we incorporate mindfulness into our daily lives, we gain awareness, can recognize stressors and respond to them in a more thoughtful and controlled manner. By paying attention to our thoughts and emotions, we can work to heal our triggers through movement.

In a world that seems to move at a super fast pace, stress and internal pressure to “be everywhere” has become a normal feeling. From the demands of work and home to the constant barrage of information and distractions, our minds are often pulled in a thousand different directions causing stress to build up within us. As a woman with ADHD in the modern world, that feeling can often be compounded and lead to a chronic state of running on adrenaline, in a state of “fight or flight”.

However, amidst this chaos, there is an invaluable too to add to your toolkit: mindfulness and meditation.

Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and engaged in the now, without judgment. It involves tuning in to thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and external environment with a sense of curiosity and acceptance. And yes, that means you notice, and then let it go. Bringing awareness to the here and now, we can work to eliminate the clutter, noise, and racing activity in our brains while cultivate clarity, peace, and resilience. In short, mindfulness can help us cultivate a sense of calm and relaxation that we can carry through our day.

Through mindfulness, we can observe our thoughts without becoming entangled in them. We can step back and notice when our mind begins to spiral into a negative thought pattern, and then gently redirect our focus towards the present moment.
By focusing our attention on the sensations of our breath or the physical sensations in our bodies, we can anchor ourselves in the present moment and find refuge from the constant mental chatter that contributes to stress. This enables us to tap into a state of deep relaxation, where our bodies can begin to heal and rejuvenate.

Furthermore, mindfulness allows us to cultivate self-compassion and acceptance. Rather than resisting or judging our stress, we can acknowledge it as a natural response to the circumstances in our lives, and then release it. You can learn to be kinder and more understanding toward ourselves, replacing self-criticism with self-care and self-compassion.

With consistency - mindfulness and meditation becomes a valuable tool that empowers you to to navigate the challenges of life with increased resilience, clarity, and inner peace.

In conclusion, amidst the hustle and bustle of life, practicing mindfulness is crucial for managing the stress that inevitably comes our way. By cultivating a non-judgmental awareness of the present moment, we can break free from the grip of stress, find inner calm, and respond to life's challenges with greater clarity and resilience. Embracing mindfulness as a foundation for stress management allows us to reclaim a sense of balance, well-being, and flow in our lives.