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Oct.19,2011
Using Mindfulness for a Happier, Healthier, Productive Life
I remember seeing a cartoon. Two men are at a bar. One turns to the other and says, “Do you dwell on the wasted years behind or the terrifying years ahead?” That is the most succinct way of summing up mindfulness I have come across. Think about it. Doesn’t most of our worry come from thinking about the past or the future? Neither of these mind sets will allow you to live a happy, relaxed life now. All too often we are dwelling on past decisions that maybe we wish we would have made differently or we are mulling over a problem that is weeks or months away. If you can truly be in the moment, you will be able to be more relaxed, more focused, and happier with your day-to-day. Living in the now makes stress and work much more managable than trying to take on everything at once.
Jon Kabat Zinn teaches mindfulness to executives. Studies have been done with two sets of researchers. One group was taught basic mindfulness techniques. The other was not. They measured stress levels during the study and found that he mindfulness group had lowered their blood pressure, standing heart rate and cortisol (the stress hormone). They had increased DHEA, the youth hormone. They had greater levels of satisfaction with life and work.
If you want to know more about mindfulness, I highly recommend any of Jon Kabat Zinn’s books. He also has several videos on You Tube. But if you want to get started right away, you can start having mindful meals. Instead of wolfing down your food while working, take at least 30 minutes to eat. Use all of your senses and enjoy your food. Look at it, smell it, taste it, touch it if appropriate, listen to it if it is making a sound. I think of the sizzle of a steak or the snap, crackle and pop of morning cereal. Many wonderful things start happening when you practice mindfulness. You will be more relaxed and focused. You will have less stress and your happiness levels will rise. Try it. What do you have to lose?
Tags : Happier, Healthier, Life, Mindfulness, Productive, Using
