Find relief from pain and suffering.
When you can focus on the present moment, you can find relief from pain and suffering. You don’t have to stay stuck in the past, regretting things or wallowing in sorrow. Nor do you have to worry about the future, creating anxiety and dread about what might happen. The present moment is right now – embrace it and find peace and serenity.
How to become more mindful
When you’re able to be mindful and practice mindfulness exercises, you’ll start to feel better, and your life will begin to change for the better. You’ll feel calmer and at peace, even in stressful situations. You’ll also start to see things differently and perhaps notice things you wouldn’t have seen before – like a beautiful sunset or the smile of a stranger.
Join a mindfulness community or group
If you want to learn how to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life, becoming part of a mindfulness community or group can help. Getting together with others practising mindfulness can provide support and encouragement, as well as practical tips on how to practice.
How to Meditate
Try many different mindfulness meditation techniques – try a few and see which suits you best. Some of the most popular ones are:
Body scan meditation
Focus on the body part by part – starting at the toes and going up to the head. Notice any sensations you feel in that body part or between the parts. Don’t judge anything or make comparisons, either between body parts or against other people.
Mindfulness of breathing
Focus on the sensation of breathing in and out. Don’t try to change how you breathe or anything about it; focus on the feeling of it entering and leaving your body.
Observe thoughts and feelings
Rather like Mindfulness of Breathing, this technique involves focusing on bodily sensations. Rather than concentrating solely on the breath, you observe your thoughts and feelings, neither judging nor reacting to them.