Over the past few years, mindfulness has become a popular practice that many people around the world have adopted as part of their daily routine. While mindfulness has been a practice that has been embraced in many cultures for thousands of years, Western societies have only just begun to take notice of its numerous positive effects. This article will explore some of the ways in which mindfulness can impact your overall health and wellness from the moment you give it a try.
Getting Started
Before you start out on your mindfulness journey, it is important to understand that mindfulness is a practice that will take time to pick up. It is normal for it to feel uncomfortable or unnatural at first, which is why mindfulness practitioners call it a ‘practice.’ The more you practice, the easier it becomes.
Another component of mindfulness that you need to embrace is that there are several types of mindfulness practices to try. Whether you try yoga, meditation, mindful eating, or journaling, there is a practice that will work for just about anyone.
Impacts on Health and Wellness
Studies show that mindfulness decreases stress, releases unsettling emotions, helps to rid the body of pent-up anxiety, and helps to calm the mind, body, and spirit. Mindful meditation can clear the mind, and practicing yoga can help to open up the chakra, improve flexibility, and enhance muscle strength. Mindful eating has a tendency to allow a person to experience food in a way that they never thought possible. Journaling allows one to reflect on thoughts and feelings and discover ideas they may not have otherwise thought of had they not given thought to writing things down on paper. So, while all of these mindfulness qualities are great, how does mindfulness actually work to help one’s health and overall wellness?
Mindfulness and Healthy Protector Factors
One way that mindfulness will help is that your sleep will improve. Even if you don’t have any trouble sleeping at night, you will find that after practicing mindfulness, your body will have an internal calmness that you may not have had before and you will enjoy falling asleep easier and staying asleep!
You will also notice over a period of time that when practicing mindfulness, you will enjoy a decreased responsiveness to emotional outbursts, feelings of resentment, guilt, shame, or unwanted feelings and reactions towards situations, family members, friends, or others who may be causing you strife with their actions. You will learn how to manage these emotions in ways you never thought possible and you will learn acceptance, forgiveness, or tolerance.
Finally, studies have indicated that mindfulness creates the ability for people to pay greater attention to things around them by increasing their awareness of day-to-day activities. Such positive attributes include the promotion of increased awareness of eating unhealthy foods, noticing when your body is feeling satiated or is in need of hydration, and paying attention to when your body is feeling the need for a break or even a good night of sleep.
Why is eating with mindful awareness beneficial?
Eating with awareness helps you to stay within limits and to avoid overeating.
Mindfulness also helps you pay attention to how certain foods make you feel during consumption. It also helps you identify cravings and notice when you are reaching for certain foods when you may not be hungry.
Mindfulness encourages discipline and healthy meal planning. Those who are new to mindfulness and meal planning recipes may find it beneficial to download the best app on the market that can offer flavorful recipes and meal planning organization.
Does mindfulness impact what we eat?
Yes, mindfulness can impact what you eat. However, the number one contributing factor that impacts what you eat is how you plan for your meals. If you do not plan your meals, you may not have the supplies on hand to make a nutritious meal for yourself. That is why it is important to plan out every meal at least a few days ahead of time so that you can ensure that you have the proper ingredients on hand. When you do not have the proper ingredients on hand, it is more than likely that you will be encouraged to order takeout or make a frozen entree. Both options are less than ideal as they are most likely packed with salty, high-processed ingredients that taste great but are horrible for your body.
Conclusion
There are many reasons to engage in a mindfulness lifestyle. Whether you are seeking an improved outlook on life when it comes to your health, wellness, or are interested in increased awareness around what you eat and how you sleep, mindfulness is going to make your life so much better!
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
