Sometimes we struggle with how to add 10 minutes of mindfulness to our day. Today, I want to challenge that belief. If you’ve read my previous blogs on practical ways to be mindful, you know I like to keep mindfulness simple. To put it simply, I do this because I recognize the struggle many people have to actually practice mindfulness, even when they set an intention to do it. Let’s anchor back to the thought that mindfulness is not a To-do; it is a To-Be. In other words, it’s how you approach tasks, not just what you’re doing.
Why 10 minutes of mindfulness?
So, where does the majic number of 10 minutes of mindfulness come from? As always, let’s go back to the scientific research on this. For mood, mindfulness practice increased focus and reduced repetitive, anxious thoughts. For innovation and creativity, it’s also key to imagining new things per our friend’s at Harvard Business Review. For learning, mindfulness makes us smarter as evidenced by this study. Consider, when we want to regulate mood, be creative and innovative, or learn, just 10 minutes of mindfulness daily can support these intentions.
The many ways to be mindful
Realistically, being mindful is not about what you’re doing. Sadly, this thought process often deters the actual practice of mindfulness. I call this Consumption without Function. Have you ever found yourself reading 20 articles on how to lose weight yet you don’t incorporate a single thing you learned? Instead you gather notes in your mind about the best way to do something (consumption) and then don’t ever actually use the knowledge effectively (function). To help you stop this cycle, in case you’re in consumption mode, I’m ending this article with an invitation: Pause…Take a Breath…Let’s return to Center. Let’s stop reading and pay attention to how we’re breathing, without changing anything. Set a timer for 10 minutes and just let the breath be…
Do you need assistance with being mindful? I invite you to Return to Center with me. Join me for Mindfulness, Yoga, and Meditation here.
Love, Light, Prayers, and Peace!
Alyson Phelan, CYT, CMMT, TRCC
Certified Yoga Teacher
Certified Mindfulness and Meditation Teacher
Trauma Responsive Care Certified
