✓As you continue to breathe, bring your attention to the present moment, allowing any thoughts or emotions to pass without getting caught up in them.
✓ If your mind starts to wander, gently bring your attention back to your body and your breath.
✓ Continue to focus on your breath and your body for several minutes, allowing yourself to fully immerse in the present moment.
✓ When you're ready to end the meditation, take a few deep breaths, wiggle your fingers and toes, and slowly open your eyes.
The goal of mindfulness meditation is to bring your attention to the present moment, without judgment or criticism. By focusing on your breath and your body, you can cultivate a sense of calm and relaxation, and reduce stress and anxiety.
Here's a funny example of a mindfulness meditation exercise:
✓ Find a quiet and comfortable space where you won't be interrupted. You can sit on a cushion or chair, whatever works for you.
✓ Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, feeling the air move in and out of your body.
✓ Now, imagine that you're a superhero who has just saved the world from a dangerous villain. Take a moment to visualise yourself in your superhero outfit, with your cape billowing in the wind.
✓ Focus on the sensations in your body, noticing the strength and power you feel as a superhero.
✓ Take a few deep breaths and imagine yourself flying through the sky, feeling the wind rushing past you.
✓ Whenever your mind starts to wander, gently bring your attention back to your superhero visualisation and the sensations in your body.
Remember, the goal of mindfulness meditation is to bring your attention to the present moment and cultivate a sense of calm and relaxation. By adding a fun and creative element to it, you can make it a more enjoyable and engaging experience. Plus, imagining yourself as a superhero can help you tap into your inner strength and power, boosting your confidence and resilience.
It may sound unconventional, but expressing gratitude through journaling is an effective exercise to promote physical health. Writing down things you are grateful for each day can help shift your focus towards the positive aspects of your life, and promote a more positive outlook overall.
Here's an example of a gratitude journaling exercise:
‣ Set aside a few minutes each day to write down three things you are grateful for. You can do this in a notebook or on your phone or computer.
‣ Think about the positive aspects of your life, such as the people you love, the things you enjoy doing, or the opportunities you have.
‣ Write down specific things that you are grateful for, such as "I'm grateful for my supportive family" or "I'm grateful for the beautiful sunset I saw today."
‣ Take a moment to reflect on each item and really feel the gratitude for it.
‣ Try to come up with new things to be grateful for each day, even if they are small or seemingly insignificant.
‣ If you are struggling to find things to be grateful for, think about challenges or obstacles that you have overcome, and the lessons you have learned from them.
The objective of gratitude journaling is to shift your focus towards the positive aspects of your life, and to cultivate a sense of gratitude and appreciation. By practicing gratitude regularly, you can improve your mood, reduce stress and anxiety, and promote a more positive outlook on life.
Another one example of a gratitude journaling exercise:
‣ Allocate a few minutes each evening to jot down three positive things that occurred during your day that you feel grateful for.