3 Ways People (Who Hate Meditation) Can Practice Mindfulness

Mindfulness continues to be a trending wellness topic, thanks to the many benefits that can be gained with practice. With benefits ranging from improved focus, reduced physical and mental stress, relief from chronic pain, and improved sleep – it is no wonder this practice is popping up everywhere. Mindfulness can be defined as achieving a mental state in which your full attention is on the present moment. The goal is an increased awareness of and acceptance of feelings, thoughts, and physical sensations at that moment. Meditation, breathing drills, and other practices can improve the ability to be genuinely mindful.

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While this may sound straightforward enough, for many people, the idea of sitting quietly while focusing exclusively on our thoughts and feelings is incredibly daunting. We are addicted to distraction and have spent our entire lives attempting to master the unattainable art of multitasking. That’s okay, we’ve got a few tricks up our sleeves to help the anti-meditators reap the benefits of mindfulness.

I. Get outside and into nature

Find the closest hiking or nature trail you can and get moving. Check out All Trails for trail recommendations near you. Start with just a short walk or jog. Here’s the tough part: leave your earbuds behind. No music, no podcasts, and no audiobooks allowed. Listen to the sounds around you and let your mind wander. Without the distraction of audio input, we can become aware of our thoughts and true feelings. You may find this challenging at first, or you may immediately find that this break from audio input helps provide clarity and innovation.

II. Find a furry friend

Animals have an incredibly positive impact on our mental health. Multiple studies have proven that human interactions with dogs raise our oxytocin (love hormone) levels and immediately decrease cortisol (stress hormone) levels. No pup of your own? Sign up to volunteer or drop in at an animal shelter near you. Visit a dog park for your four-legged fix, or make sure you take the time to greet your friend’s fur baby next time you visit. Once again, the trick is to be mindful of this feel-good activity. Minimize audible distractions and spend at least 5 minutes interacting with the dog or cat. Bonus for eye contact with your new furry friend. Really, it’s proven further to support the favorable distribution of previously mentioned hormones.

III. Dance it out?

Queue up your catchiest, most dance-worthy playlist. Find those earbuds or crank up the speakers and throw a dance party for one! Commit to the practice and avoid the urge to multitask. Aim to let go of everything else for the moment and just dance. Focus on how you feel mentally and physically in that moment, accepting those feelings and staying present.

For many people, these active approaches to mindfulness are a more realistic option than dedicating regular blocks of time to meditation. Are you looking for more health and wellness tips or a way to share these mindful practices with your work site? Check out www.sitewellsolutions.com.

About SiteWell Solutions

SiteWell Solutions is committed to supporting businesses and organizations with injury prevention, wellness, and human optimization services. A healthy workforce is proven to be more engaged, productive, and happier. Connect with us today for a free brainstorming session all about elevating your workforce, reminding your team that people matter most, and strategically improving your organization’s outcomes.?

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