MINDFULLNESS FOR COPING: 3 NEW PRACTICES TO TRY
Canadians have been forced to develop new coping strategies to combat prolonged stress, isolation and anxiety triggered by an unprecedented period in our history.
As a result, mindfulness practices have soared in popularity.
If you’re new to mindfulness, fear not: it’s a simple practice that takes a nonjudgmental approach to paying attention to the present moment and can be integrated into your daily routine in many ways.
In the spirit of building upon the positive shifts you’ve made during a truly difficult year, here are three new practices to try:
1. Get outdoors for a mindful walk: The next time you head out for a walk, try making it a mindful one. Try observing the physical body in motion — notice the way each leg lifts and how the heel and ball of each foot come in contact with the ground. Also notice the small details such as sounds, smells, the breeze on your skin, or a flower just beginning to bud.
2. Practice mindful communication on your next phone call: During conversation, we have a tendency to conjure up our next sentence without fully listening and absorbing what the other person is saying. Enjoy a deeper feeling of connection by simply listening.
3. Mindfully send yourself well wishes: Help cultivate a sense of kindness and compassion toward yourself by taking a few moments to repeat meaningful well wishes to yourself while you are relaxing – perhaps in a warm bath, while lying down on the couch or while enjoying your morning coffee or tea. Try repeating the phrases, “May I be healthy”, “May I be happy”, and “May I live with ease”.
Learn more about mindfulness and our integrated, holistic approach to mental health. —Heather Feldmann, mindfulness instructor, TELUS Health Care Centres
To learn more about virtual care at TELUS Health Care Centres, visit telushealth.com/carecentres
