What is Mindfulness?

Good morning, everyone! I hope you all had a brilliantly relaxing weekend :) 

Last Sunday I wrote about relaxing detox baths but today I want to write about a new thing I've tried called Mindfulness. I've heard this word being thrown around and increasing in popularity for quite a while now but only recently researched into what it is. 

 

Cover Photo by Peter Hapak for Time Magazine

Mindfulness is a 'way of paying attention to the present moment.' It uses a combination of yoga, meditation and breathing techniques, it helps us to become more aware of what is around us and how we are feeling at that exact moment in time to help us manage them better rather than becoming overwhelmed. 

By practising Mindfulness, people can focus more on their emotions, increase their attention span  . and has use it to help aid stress, anxiety, depression and addictive behaviours, making you happier and more peaceful. One is able to practise Mindfulness wherever and whenever they want or need too, whether it be at work, home, outside or inside.

Their are various courses to help you learn mindfulness however I have done a little research and the three main steps are these: 

1. Focus on your breath. Inhale and exhale deeply and slowly.
2. Whenever any thoughts, emotions, sounds or physical feelings occur; completely accept them, letting them come and go without any further thought on them. 
3. If your attention drifts off and focuses on any of these feelings, just bring it back to focusing on your breathing.

I've tried this out for a few days now and am really feeling a lot happier and chilled out (yay!)

There are more in depth courses online or in person that you are able to undertake that cover all sorts of techniques and reasonings for Mindfulness so you are able to practise it whenever you want to with ease. 

Visit http://www.bemindfulonline.com/ for more information 

What are Chakras?

Seven spirals of energy known as chakras can be found a vertical formation from our tailbone to the top of our head.  Meaning ‘wheels of light’ in Sanskrit, Chakras filter energy by allowing good energy in and disposing of unwanted energy from vital areas of our bodies. As well as working with the energy around us, Chakras interact closely with our bodies’ organs and endocrine glands, which regulate hormones. When all of our chakras are balanced we feel healthy, strong and emotionally well. Yet Chakras that are out of balance can cause illness, psychological blocks and emotional problems. 

Chakras were first derived from Hindu culture and are often depicted as coloured lotus flowers positioned along the spine, ascending from the base. The lotus flower represents human potential, as the lotus starts its life at the bottom a of muddy pond, yet rises and blossoms in the light above. The lotus flower’s transformation symbolises everyone’s potential to grow and prosper, something that balanced chakras can facilitate.

Keeping our seven major chakras balanced can help achieve optimum physical, emotional and spiritual health. Spiritual balance achieved through the seven major chakras allows us to tackle all of life’s lessons with grace and ease.

The colours and areas of the seven main chakras are depicted in the beautiful image (found on weheartit.com) below.

 

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Written by Isabella Jewell