By Tina L. O’Connor, MS, NCC

Mindfulness.  This word has grown in popularity.  Mindfulness has several different definitions.  A common definition is to focus on the here and now; what is happening right at this moment and how am I going to pay close attention.

The desired outcome of mindfulness is to slow down our thoughts to the place where we can breathe regularly and focus on what we are seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, tasting right at any given moment.

Being mindful is harder than you think. Our brains were not designed to multi-task.  Take a moment to think about your morning.  How many things did you get done?

How many things did you get done well?  When we multi-task we are placing our energy into one too many projects.

Practicing mindfulness promotes self-care.  Putting ourselves first is healthy.  The better we can care for our physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual selves the easier time we have of caring for others; especially those who work for us and our families.

Several tools that help us practice day-to-day mindfulness are:

1.     Allowing a piece of chocolate or life saver to melt on our tongues.  The only place our mind is focusing is the sensation of that candy melting.

2.    Practice deep breathing.  Breathe in for a count of 5; hold your breath for 2 breaths; breathe out for a count of 5.

3.    Enjoy the calm company of others.

4.    Take a yoga class.

5.    Schedule a personal retreat at Temenos located outside West Chester.

6.    Sit out on your deck/patio and enjoy nature’s beauty.

7.    Schedule a halotherapy session at the Salt Vault in Parkesburg.

8.    Get a massage/manicure/pedicure.

9.    Listen to a child laugh with abandon.

10.  Go to therapy.

Mindfulness also promotes a healthy work environment.  Whether you are the CEO, Executive VP, own your own business or aspire to lead a department or work group, when you practice daily mindfulness, a positive, calm perspective trickles down to your staff.

This means a more pleasant, balanced work environment.  Which in turn is projected onto your customers and clients.

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Tina L. O’Connor, MS, NCC is a Licensed Professional Counselor who has a private counseling practice in Parkesburg.  Tina attended college in Phoenixville and West Chester.   Tina and her husband Doug have three amazing adult stepchildren and two beautiful grandchildren.  Tina can be reached at Experience Positive Therapy via telephone at (610) 857-8089 or email at exppostherapy1@verizon.net.

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Top photo credit: Brain Anatomy Hoop Art. Hand Embroidered Wall Decor via photopin (license)