5 Ways to Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a practice that allows us to be fully aware in our immediate experiences. It’s about being open, curious and present. For many, it’s an accessible way to manage stress, build compassion and find acceptance, and it can even transform the way that we perceive and relate to the world. Consistent mindfulness practice can be extremely beneficial to life, helping us to become less reactive, more empathetic, and more self-compassionate. So how can we establish a routine mindfulness practice?

5 Ways to Start Practicing Mindfulness

For years, many have pictured mindfulness as something inaccessible, reserved for well-practiced yogis and silent monks. But in truth, mindfulness is more achievable you may think. Consider integrating a few simple practices into your day-to-day life.

1. Mindfulness in the morning – before rolling out of bed, take a moment to set a simple intention. Cultivate acceptance and self-care. Experience the day with curiosity as it starts to unfold.
2. Mindful meals – use 3 square meals as a friendly time stamp, a reminder to bring attention to the breath and body. Even 30 seconds of conscious awareness before a meal can make a positive impact.
3. Mindfulness from the office – work related burnout is linked to anxiety, depression, exhaustion, and inefficacy. Use your breaks to stretch the body, practice a progressive muscle relaxation exercise, or reframe negative thoughts with a positive mantra to bring gratitude to the present moment.
4. Mindfulness on the go – mindfulness can happen anywhere, whether you are commuting by train in the city or taking a leisurely nature walk with family and friends. As you find yourself in action throughout the day, try to bring a conscious awareness and gratitude for the sensations of the body in motion. For example, pay attention to the shift in weight with each step taken, appreciating each moment.
5. Mindfulness at bedtime – Stress and overthinking can prevent us from falling asleep at night. A bedtime meditation routine can help us let go of stressful thoughts and can also set the stage for relaxation, restoration, and better sleep hygiene. Try a meditation app to get started.

While there are a multitude of ways to practice mindfulness in your day-to-day routine, these five ways offer easy, quick reminders to help you start practicing mindfulness wherever you go. These messages of mindfulness are often integrated in our addiction treatment program at Wellbridge.

Mindfulness and Addiction Treatment

Mindfulness can be an effective tool in SUD treatment and recovery. Mindfulness helps to identify urges, cravings, and triggers for substance use. It also serves as a platform to reframe thoughts to use and can even become an alternative, healthy behavior in and of itself. For others it may provide a form of relief and pain management through the recovery process.

Wellbridge understands how beneficial mindfulness can be and integrates informed training and practice during one’s time at our treatment center to help individuals leverage mindfulness in their daily life post-treatment.