EMBRACING THE POWER OF NOW
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. 4 Tips for Practicing Mindfulness
activities, like doing the dishes or even folding laundry, promotes healthy focus and reduces feelings of being overwhelmed.
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!
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 body responds to different stimuli and movements, and this trains you to be more aware of yourself. 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!
Use the power of meditation. You don’t need to meditate for a long time, and it certainly doesn’t 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. 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
7 WAYS TO PRACTICE GOOD POSTURE IT’S TIME TO STRAIGHTEN UP!
1. Leave sticky notes around your home and office to remind yourself to sit up straight. You can leave these notes on your refrigerator, desk, bathroom mirror, nightstand, computer monitor, and anywhere else helpful. 2. While driving, make it a habit to check your posture each time you are at a stoplight or stop sign. 3. Set a notification on your phone, an alarm or reminder icon, to help you conduct a posture check. Your phone can vibrate or make sounds to notify you when it’s time to straighten your back. Set notifications to go off every 30 minutes, then over time, you can set alarms for every hour or so. Adjust your environment. Although mental reminders are beneficial, you also need to create an environment that supports good habits.
1. Adjust the driver’s seat in your car to ensure you aren’t leaning too far back or hunched over the steering wheel. 2. Computer monitors should be at eye level so you don’t have to lean forward or look down to read or type. 3. Have a back support cushion on your office chairs, couches, and other seating areas to ensure you aren’t slouching or sinking into your seat. You can even purchase an ergonomic chair to promote better posture. 4. Wear a posture corrector throughout the day if you need extra assistance. It may be beneficial and will give you some extra support even when you’re trying not to slouch. For more strategies on how to improve your posture, or stretches you can do if you’re dealing with back pain because of poor posture, contact your friends at M3 PT! We will be happy to assist you in any way we can.
We all know good posture is essential because it improves our spine health and body flow, supports our muscles, and keeps our nerves and blood vessels healthy. But sometimes, standing tall, sitting up straight, and not slouching can be difficult. You may catch yourself slouching and immediately straighten up. But how can you remember to practice good posture? Make mental reminders! Although it’s hard to think about maintaining good posture throughout the day, you can train yourself to check your posture.
2 | WWW.M3PT.COM
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