5 Steps for Cultivating Mindfulness

emma at the every woman expo
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It was a great pleasure to be invited to present my 5 steps to cultivating Mindfulness at the EveryWoman Expo on Sunday!

In this fast-paced world, we are so often caught up in doing and achieving, that we don’t take time to stop and focus inwards.

So let me share with you my 5 easy steps to practicing mindfulness – because that’s what it is, a practice, its not a competition or an event!

Firstly what is Mindfulness?

Simply put, it’s having an awareness and appreciation for what we are experiencing right now.
It is a great approach for managing the stress of modern life and promoting wellness.
The good news is, it doesn’t cost anything other than your time and the dividends it returns in terms of your health and wellbeing are invaluable.
It isn’t something you can outsource, nor something you can defer to your manager, your partner, neither do you need to a pay guru, a teacher, a mentor, or a trainer….
It’s not too late to start, neither are you too old or too young, there is no perfect age to practice mindfulness.
It sounds too good to be true but the immediate benefits are quite incredible, let alone the longer term ones.

We’ve all heard that saying “a smile costs nothing but gives so much….”
Well just like a smile, mindfulness doesn’t cost anything but gives so much….
Not only to yourself, but also to those in your circle, your community, the ripple effect is incredible….
Just like a smile, it is infectious!
All it takes is time, small bite sizes to start, whether 5 breaths, 5 minutes and slowly with practice building up…
So that over time it becomes your natural state and how wonderful that would be! Like bliss!

1. Acknowledge and commit to “take 5”. Now, out of your busy day. Pause…
2. Find a quiet, happy “space”. Even if just in your own mind. Sit (or stand) with ease…
3. Close your eyes, soften your gaze. Bring a small smile to your face. Turn your attention inwards…
4. Breathe, long, slow, deep belly breaths. Scan through your body and notice – How do you feel?
5. Continue to breath in this way, Long, slow, deep belly breaths. With each breath round, soften and find ease…
Allow thoughts to come and go, return your thoughts to your breath and notice how you feel in your body.

So now try it, close down your eyes –

When we close our eyes, it’s easy to see the person we want to be.
But how can we live that best version of ourselves with eyes wide open?
Healthy can be hard.
Life can get in the way.
Unless you give yourself permission to take care of you.
Myall is here to gently guide you on this journey.
To help you to be present.
Embrace the moment.
Feel energised.
And live with purpose.
When our eyes have been opened to living as our best selves we can say:
It’s my life. It’s my time to thrive.
I’m going to give it my all.

Come and visit us, rear ground level 55 St Georges terrace, we’re here to support you!