Mindfulness

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We live in an age of ceaseless information, with a cacophony of distractions. At any given moment the mind is processing too many “to-do” lists in everyday life and we are rushing, forgetting and causing an even more distracted and chaotic mind.

And those distracted, overwhelmed, tired moments are ripe for accidents. Tripping on a stair or a throw rug, dropping and misplacing things — it’s easy to do when you are not paying attention.

Creating a habit of mindfulness takes on the onus of reminding ourselves to be mindful, especially when rushed, tired and overwhelmed. Practice creating “the pause” — stopping to take a breath or two to reset.

A daily practice of mindfulness might look like this:

  • Set aside moments each day for quiet reflection. Turn off devices, close your eyes, and simply observe your thoughts.
  • Creative Breaks: When stuck on a problem, step away from active thinking. The mind often finds solutions in the quiet after effort.
  • Nature Walks: Spend time in natural environments where human noise is minimal and allow the soundscape to refresh your senses.

The Medical Center’s Visiting Specialist program includes Holistic Medicine practitioner David Coppola, D.C., who is available for consults.