Rediscover Serenity: Giving Mindfulness Meditation Another Chance

Mindfulness meditation is like a mental spa day - a chance to take a break from the chaos of life and give your mind a little TLC. Or is it more challenging than it sounds? When you sit down to meditate, your mind starts to wander, and you might find yourself thinking about everything that needs to be done that day or a recent argument with someone close to you. And why does the next-door neighbor's dog start barking just when you feel you are starting to relax? Discouraged, you throw your hands up and say meditation is not for me! But don't give up! I've been told that consistency is key, and with regular practice, you'll be able to quiet your mind and find your zen moment.

I decided to give it a try once again. My friend Donna Chambers is a Certified Mindfulness Meditation teacher. Interestingly enough, teaching mindfulness meditation is part of her second act. She has invited me multiple times to attend a session, but my past experiences convinced me that it is not for me. However, I was willing to give it another try and decided to do a little research before the session.

Difference Between Meditation and Mindfulness

First, I wanted to know the difference between the two since they are often interchangeable. Mindfulness involves being present in the moment, while meditation aims to control our thoughts and achieve a state of mental calmness. When we combine these practices, we can experience enhanced mental and physical benefits. The article “Confused About mindfulness and meditation? Here’s how you can benefit”?highlights the similarities between these practices. Mindfulness Meditation:

1. Keeps you accountable and responsible for your thoughts
2. Sharpens your focus and concentration skills
3. Helps you find inner peace and relaxation
4. Improves self-awareness and self-knowledge
5. Does not require a specific amount of time to practice

Mindful Meditation Benefits

Beyond just finding inner peace and relaxation, there are health benefits to practicing mindfulness meditation. They include:

1. Reducing stress- It triggers the body's relaxation response, which counteracts the physiological effects of stress. When practicing mindfulness, individuals engage in deep breathing and focus on the present moment, which promotes relaxation.
2. Lower heart rate- Mindfulness meditation is known to reduce stress levels, and high stress is associated with increased heart rate and blood pressure. By decreasing stress, mindfulness meditation indirectly helps to lower heart rate and promote cardiovascular health.
3. Improve immunity: Mindfulness meditation is known to reduce stress levels. Chronic stress suppresses the immune system, making individuals more susceptible to infections and illnesses. By lowering stress, mindfulness meditation may help support immune function.
4. Improve Sleep-Practicing mindfulness can improve sleep quality, duration, and onset by calming the mind and body.
5. Be more responsive and less reactive- Mindfulness helps us respond consciously rather than impulsively to the world around us, allowing us to better engage with the world authentically and effectively.

Make It A Daily Routine

Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment. While you can set aside specific times of the day to practice mindfulness meditation, you can also be mindful throughout the day. Here are a few suggestions for incorporating the practice into your daily routine.

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1. Brushing your teeth:?As you brush, try focusing on the sensation of your feet touching the floor and the movement of your arms as they go up and down.
2. Washing dishes:?Let the warm water run over your hands. Can you feel the soothing sensation of the water on your skin? As you start washing the dishes, notice the bubbles forming in the sink. Watch how they dance and swirl around the plates. Listen to the sound of the pots and pans as they gently clang against each other.
3. Doing Laundry:?Breathe in the smell of freshly laundered clothes. Take a deep breath and enjoy the sweet smell of cleanliness. To make the experience even better, try counting your breaths as you fold each piece. It's a great way to stay present and calm while you tackle your laundry pile

Rediscovering Serenity

During the session, Donna explained that she had become more responsive and less reactive after practicing mindfulness meditation. A few days later, she followed up with me to get my feedback on the session. I told her that her experience inspired me and hoped to achieve similar results. Typically, I tend to feel stressed and reactive in adverse situations. However, after attending the session and gaining a better understanding of Mindfulness Meditation, I am willing to incorporate the practice into my daily routine.

If you are interested in learning more or rediscovering mindfulness meditation, contact Donna Chambers, RN, BSN, Certified Mindfulness Meditation Teacher, CMMT??at Clear Mind, Clear Skin With Donna.?

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