Destressing and Mindfulness Go Hand in Hand

Stressed by changes in your life? Learn some tips to unwind and refocus.

(Written for http://www.wellbeing.place/home/2021/2/22/destressing-and-mindfulness-go-hand-in-hand)

The world is won by those who let it go. -Lao Tzu

With constant stress and demands on our time, it can be more important than ever to incorporate mindfulness into our daily routine to help us cope with change. 

The concept of mindfulness originated in Buddhist thinking and meditation practice over two and a half thousand years ago. Its original purpose was to address and relieve self-induced suffering caused by the dysfunctional ways people typically respond to their experiences. 

While mindfulness has its primary roots in Buddhism, almost all religions encourage people to practice ways of shifting their thoughts away from their usual preoccupations and towards an appreciation of the moment and a larger perspective on life. 

Over the past 30 years, mindfulness has become more secularized and simplified to suit a broader Western context. Today, the benefits of mindfulness, from stress reduction to relationship satisfaction to job performance, are numerous and well-documented. Research shows that 46.9% of the time, we aren’t focused on the task at hand. This can translate into:

• Failing to notice discomfort, tension, or stress, which can exhibit themselves through mental, physical, or emotional symptoms

• Using drugs or alcohol, so you don’t need to confront negative feelings

• Making mistakes due to inattention, distraction, or carelessness

• Ignoring others and listening poorly

• Rushing, but never getting anything done

• Feeling as though life is passing you by

• Getting lost in your thoughts

• Overreacting to small things

• Judging yourself harshly

When you’re mindful, you live fully in the present moment, instead of letting life pass you by. By becoming attuned to your mind and body’s needs, you can achieve balance and be happier.

You may be worried and stressed that you couldn’t possibly fit one more thing into your schedule. Don’t worry; mindfulness exercises only take 10-15 minutes! 

Some of the ways you can incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine are doing a body scan or breathing exercises to achieve a state of deep relaxation. By taking a few moments to take a step back and breathe, you’ll find that you are actually more productive throughout your day and resilient to change and the curveballs life throws at you. Mindfulness can help you combat:

• Anxiety

• Depression

• Emotional Pain/Trauma

• Emotional Regulation

• Immune Function

• Inattention and Trouble Focusing

• Inflammation

• Insomnia

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome

• Memory Problems

• Menopausal Symptoms

• Physical Pain

• Relationship Satisfaction

• School or Work Performance

• Smoking or Alcohol Cessation

• Spirituality

• Stress Reduction

• Ulcerative Colitis

• Weight Management

These are just a few of the many benefits that meditation can have in your life to help you be rejuvenated. Remember, the journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Take that step today to destress by accessing our Mindfulness Toolkit for resources, tip sheets, applications, audio lessons and more.