Wellness

We are simply observers of our thoughts, actions and feelings. They do not define who we are but merely define our experience of life. We are not that thought; we are not that action, and we are not that feeling.

Awareness is observing without judgement and interpretation. Our power of Awareness is often underdeveloped, as it requires regular practice to sharpen this skill. By increasing your awareness you increase your receptiveness to life.

Throughout the day we will face challenges and choices will need to be made. We may make irrational or reactive choices if we are feeling pressured, tired or overstimulated. 

By giving ourselves little ‘Awareness Breaks,' we can help to recalibrate our mind towards inner calm. This only needs a couple of  minutes of our time and can be fit in throughout the day.

• Find yourself a comfortable position, it may be sitting, standing or lying down.
• Start with a long stretch through your arms and fingers, your legs and your feet. Hold for 5 seconds.
• Then bring your attention to your breathing.
• Place your hand on your stomach and breathe in slowly and deeply through your nose to a count of 8, feeling your stomach rise.
• Hold for a second, then breathe out through your mouth to a count of 5 and feeling your abdomen deflate.
• Repeat this 3 times.
• Thoughts will come and go, just acknowledge them without judgement and bring your focus back to your breathing.
• After completing this repeat the phrase ‘I feel at ease,' when breathing in, and ‘I let go,' when breathing out.
• Repeat for as long as you feel necessary but a minimum of 3 times.

You are now ready to continue with your day. You should aim to repeat this ‘Awareness Break' at least every couple of hours, and also when you feel overwhelmed or fatigued, to help recalibrate your mind and body.

This technique can help to ease stress and tension, and bring your mind back to focused.