EMBRACING THE POWER OF NOW 4 TIPS FOR PRACTICING MINDFULNESS
Slow down. Try savoring the process of a task, even if it isn’t your favorite thing to do. Paying deliberate attention to your daily actions and activities, like doing the dishes or even folding laundry, promotes healthy focus and reduces feelings of being overwhelmed.
Have you ever sat down to eat a bowl of ice cream, then looked down a minute or two later to notice you only have one bite left? What about reaching your destination in the car and not recalling one thing about the entire trip? With the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s tough to be present 100% of the time, but we shouldn’t let our minds go on autopilot. Not only can this be a safety hazard, but it may also impact important relationships and reduce our enjoyment and satisfaction.
Get moving. Incorporating exercise and movement into your daily routine helps you to become aware of your body’s sensations. You’ll be more appreciative of how your
With busy schedules and long to-do lists, how can we be more mindful?
Here are four tips to help you embrace the power of now!
body responds to different stimuli and movements, and this trains you to be more aware of yourself.
Use the power of meditation. You don’t need to meditate for a long time, and it certainly doesn’t
Practice mindful eating. Do you always eat in front of the television or computer? Try eating without distractions, dine in good company, or pay closer attention to flavors and textures of the meal — it’s good for both your body and soul!
require special poses or guidance. But taking just five minutes out of your day to focus on your breathing and clear your mind counts as meditation. It can help you to be more aware, present, and productive, especially in times of stress.
Stretching Beyond Your Comfort Zone THE BENEFIT OF TRYING SOMETHING NEW
Since its invention, physical therapy has helped countless people heal and live fuller lives. But there’s more to physical therapy than just recovery. PT is also about constant improvement
Change can be frightening, as can any situation where we don’t know what to expect. But what’s the worst possibility if you pick up a paintbrush, tennis racket, or gardening shovel — even if it doesn’t work out? Once you consider what you’re afraid of, you’ll probably realize just how little rational sense it makes. And it’s well worth overcoming your hesitation. Trying new things helps you build resilience, find skills and passions, meet new people, and keep your mind and body at their best. The process makes us more well-rounded individuals. And even better, it makes us happier and healthier. The hardest part is deciding to take on a challenge and get started. Just remember that you won’t be good at everything. That’s what many people really fear when they resist trying something new — they don’t want to look silly. But it’s fine if you pick up piano or join an intramural soccer team and decide it’s not right for you. The goal isn’t to become great at everything but to be willing to try something. Approach your new endeavors (and yourself) with good humor while giving your best effort. Remember, stretching is good for you.
and a willingness to both figuratively and literally stretch yourself beyond your comfort zone. Since October is Physical Therapy Month, there’s no better time to try something new. Many people enter physical therapy with apprehension. They don’t know what to expect, think physical therapy is not for people “like them,” or believe it won’t work. Feeling nervous is natural, but being successful at physical therapy is about committing oneself to the process. Those who don’t put in the effort will progress much more slowly than those who do. Of course, trying new things comes easier to some people than others. Some crave new stimulation at every turn, while others like a neatly ordered and predictable life. Most of us are somewhere in the middle, but we commonly get stuck in a rut because we continue doing what we know comes easily — and because, deep down, we’re afraid.
2 • www.spinerehab.net
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