#MindfulFocusChallenge- Day 14: Colour Meditation

The key to mindfulness is not being in the present every moment of the day. That is not possible and not appropriate for a successful life; you do need some time to reflect in order to improve and prepare for the future. The key is being able to refocus yourself in the present at your will and not at the will of your meandering thoughts.

Refocusing without judgement is a positive mindful activity.

Today, we will focus using a reminder, Colour Meditation.

Colour Meditation

– Choose a colour and decide to notice that colour during the day. Take the time to notice the objects and people wearing that colour.

– Have your noticed something or someone you have never noticed before? How many different things are you noticing? (I always surprise myself when I buy a new car and all of a sudden you notice that car EVERYWHERE!)

This ends our #MindfulFocusChallenge. We hope you have been able to see how mindfulness can help you in your day to day life.

Respond in the comments, tweet us @Ed_Tmprince or respond on our Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/educationsvoice/ with #MindfulFocusChallege and let us know how you found this strategy.

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#MindfulFocusChallenge- Day 13: Hand Washing Exercise

Many psychologists believe that our emotions begin with a physical sensation, positive or negative. When we focus on positive sensations that are calming, we can emotionally become calm.

Today, our mindfulness practice will focus on positive physical sensations to mindfully be in the moment and anchor us in the present.

Washing Hands Meditation

When we wash our hands in warm water, it opens the blood vessels and tricks your brain out of a stressful state.

– When you go to wash your hands, be mindful of the sensation of the water and soap as your rub your palms, between your fingers and on top of your hands. Breath deeply allowing your breathing enhance the feel of water and soap.

– How does this moment feel?

– How is it making the rest of your body feel?

Repeat every time you wash your hands today.

Respond in the comments, tweet us @Ed_Tmprince or respond on our Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/educationsvoice/ with #MindfulFocusChallege and let us know how you found this strategy.

#MindfulFocusChallenge- Day 12: Shoulder Relaxation Exercise

Many of us hold stress in our shoulders. As the day becomes more stressful, our shoulders become more tense and creep up towards our ears. It is like a primitive form of contracting our muscles to spring into the fight or flight mode. The #mindfulmoment for today is to to take a moment, without judgement, to relax our shoulders and accept the feeling of restfulness that accompanies the moment.

Shoulder Relaxation

– Breath deeply and, on the exhale, allow your shoulders to drop towards the floor as if someone is pressing them downward.

– Continue to breathe deeply for five breaths, allowing your shoulders to slightly rise on the inhale and then completely drop on the exhale.

– Recognise how the muscles feel in the shoulder and neck. Remember, do not judge the tension. Just recognise it is there and release the tension.

Do this at least five times during the day.

This is particularly useful technique to use when having to deal with situations that are escalating into an argument or emotional situation. I also encourage shoulder relaxation in basic deep breathing as part of the everyday practice.

Respond in the comments, tweet us @Ed_Tmprince or respond on our Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/educationsvoice/ with #MindfulFocusChallege and let us know how you found this strategy.

#MindfulFocusChallenge- Day 11: Mindful Posture Exercise

Today, we are going to focus on your posture. By becoming aware of your posture gives you a chance to quickly be mindful.

Mindful Posture

– Several times during the day, bring your focus to your posture regardless if you are standing or sitting.

-Take a deep mindful breath as you straighten your spine and move your neck and head into a straight line as if their is a string above you pulling you straight.

– Notice any tension in your shoulders allowing them to relax and square with your spine.

– Take another deep, mindful breath and then proceed with the day.

Respond in the comments, tweet us @Ed_Tmprince or respond on our Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/educationsvoice/ with #MindfulFocusChallege and let us know how you found this strategy.

#MindfulFocusChallenge- Day 10: Smile Exercise

Smiling can change our brain, through this powerful feedback loop. Every day your brain keeps track of your smiles. It knows how often you’ve smiled and which overall emotional state you are in.

On average, children smile over 400 times a day. Whilst happy adults still smile 40-50 times a day, the average, however, is only about 20 times.

So, our mindful focus today is to SMILE a lot!

Smile

– Be mindful of your smiles today.

⁃ Were your smiles self-motivated or due to a reaction from seeing others smile.

– Notice how your body feels when you smile.

⁃ Does your mental state change, even just for a moment?

– Does smiling get easier as the day goes on?

Respond in the comments, tweet us @Ed_Tmprince or respond on our Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/educationsvoice/ with #MindfulFocusChallege and let us know how you found this strategy.

#MindfulFocusChallenge- Day 9: Face Massage Exercise

Massage and the power of touch is naturally relaxing and is a way to reduce these stress hormones. Maria Hernandez-Reid is a researcher at the Touch Research Institute. She says that the lowering of stress hormones not only reduces the feelings of anxiety but also supports a healthier immune system.

Today we will use a simple Cat Whiskers Facial Massage to bring our focus back.

Before you begin:

– Ensure that hands have been washed well.

– Play gentle meditation music in the background.

– Sit or lay down comfortably.

– Take some deep mindful breaths to kick start the relaxation

Cat’s Whiskers Massage

– Use your three middle fingers of each hand and make a W.

– Place the fingers on either side of your mouth, applying gentle pressure.

– Gently sweep your fingers across the face with gentle pressure as if you were drawing cat’s whiskers.

⁃ Notice how your face feels against your fingers.

⁃ Notice how your fingers feel against your face.

⁃ Recognise any emotions or feelings you are having.

– Repeat the sequence as many times as desired.

Respond in the comments, tweet us @Ed_Tmprince or respond on our Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/educationsvoice/ with #MindfulFocusChallege and let us know how you found this strategy.

#MindfulFocusChallenge- Day 8: DNT Exercise

DNT stands for DO NOTHING TIME. In our busy lives, there is seldom time where we just STOP and do nothing. We are always multi-tasking, maximising time and trying to not waste a minute of our time. However, this “on the go” lifestyle can be a bit too much for our mental health.

Today, the challenge is to DNT for 5 minutes; no looking at your phone, not drinking a coffee, no making mental TO DO lists, or even meditating. Just sit and DO NOTHING.

⁃ Seat yourself in a comfortable position.

⁃ Set a timer on your phone or tablet for 5 minutes and then turn it over so you can’t be tempted to look at it.

⁃ Take two deep, Mindful breaths and begin.

⁃ While sitting there, you will likely get feelings of restlessness, feel uncomfortable or even feel guilty for not doing anything. Don’t allow yourself to get caught up in those feelings, just allow yourself to have them.

⁃ End with a few deep mindful breaths and proceed with your day.

Respond in the comments, tweet us @Ed_Tmprince or respond on our Facebook page : https://www.facebook.com/educationsvoice/ with #MindfulFocusChallege and let us know how you found this strategy.