Mindful Living: The Path To A More Fulfilling Life

Mindfulness is not an out-of-reach foreign concept that is difficult to add to your everyday life. It’s actually quite the opposite. Mindfulness is a meditation technique that has many benefits and is very simple to use. Here we talk about what mindfulness and its benefits are as well as ways to include it in your daily living.

 

What is Mindful Living?

 

Mindful living simply means incorporating the practice of mindfulness into your everyday life. As a beginner, you’ll need to make a conscious effort to practice mindfulness as you go about your day. Once you hone your skills, you’ll find yourself engaging in mindfulness automatically as you complete your daily tasks.

 

Mindfulness is a mental state in which you are fully aware of the present moment. You engage with your five physical senses and free thoughts. You allow yourself to experience the moment from an objective perspective. In mindfulness, it’s important to refrain from viewing experiences as “good” or “bad.”

 

How Is Mindful Living Beneficial?

 

Mindful living has benefits that reach every core life area, including mental health, physical health, social relationships, employment, recreation, etc. Here are just a few of the benefits that mindful living provides:

 

• Less rumination on undesired thoughts

• Stress reduction

• Better cognitive function

• Less emotional reactivity

• Higher satisfaction with relationships

• Better mental health

• Stronger immune function

 

How to Live Mindfully

 

There are many ways to introduce mindfulness into your daily life. It is a form of meditation as well as a mindset. First, you can start by scheduling a structured mindfulness session into each day. Ten-minute sessions are a good starting point. You can add them to your wake up or bedtime routine so that they’re easy to structure into your day. Here are some ways to practice mindfulness during these sessions:

 

• Get yourself into a comfortable position within a quiet and calm environment.

• Starting at either end of your body, gradually tense and relax your muscles and joints. Pay attention to the physical sensations as you do so.

• Take slow, deep breaths. Count how many you take and how long they last. Feel and visualize the air working through your respiratory system.

• Allow yourself to have thoughts of positive messages.

• Repeat encouraging mantras aloud.

• Listen to a guided meditation.

• Once you get better at these techniques, you can begin to practice them in a less structured way. Here are some ways to engage in mindfulness throughout your day:

• Practice mindfulness when you get a small break in your day, such as at work or while sitting at a red light in traffic.

• Journal at the end of each day to recap your experiences and note what you are grateful for that day.

• Create a positive affirmation jar and start your day by reading a slip out of the jar.

• Take inventory of your five physical senses as you complete daily activities, such as walking, driving, eating, hygiene tasks, and recreational activities.

• Focus on a single task at a time. For example, instead of listening to music while making dinner, prepare the meal without additional stimuli. You can feel the ingredients in your hands, hear the sound of chopping, smell the food cooking, see the variety of colors in the ingredients, and taste test the meal as you’re preparing it.

• Participate in creative recreational activities, such as coloring, sewing, sculpting, etc.

• Look at an object for a few minutes to notice details you’ve missed in the past.

• Actively listen in conversations with others.

• Practice empathy. Imagine what others may be experiencing and why they’re acting the way they are.

 

Think about what you will say before you say. Remember that it’s okay to take a pause in conversation if needed.

 

Source Links

 

https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/07-08/ce-corner

 

https://www.healthline.com/health/mind-body/mindfulness-activities

 

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320392

  

https://www.mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/

5 Lifestyle Changes You Should Make In Your 40s

As we approach 40 years old, we may notice physical and mental changes in ourselves, such as lower energy, weight gain, and poorer memory; this is normal and part of the aging process. The National Institute On Aging explains “Aging is associated with changes in dynamic biological, physiological, environmental, psychological, behavioral, and social processes.”

 

However, please don’t despair; it’s never too late to make healthy lifestyle changes to keep you fit. A study of Multi-Ethnic Atherosclerosis (MESA) led by Johns Hopkins Medicine monitored over 6.000 people, ages 44 – 84, for more than seven years. Those who made positive changes, such as eating a Mediterranean-style diet, exercising regularly, and quitting smoking, decreased their death risk in the study period by 80%.

 

Biological Changes as We Age

As we start to age, some of the changes we may notice include:

 

• Weight gain

• Muscle tone reduction

• Energy drain

• Skin thinning, sagging, and wrinkling

• Hot flashes (women)

• Vision problems

• Aches and pains

• Urination frequency increase

• Digestion problems, such as reduced tolerance for spicy food

• Cognitive issues, like forgetting things

• Sleep difficulties

 

Healthy Choices

It will help if you make the following lifestyle changes in your 40s to help you stay healthy and active. Regardless of your age, these changes have significant benefits at any stage of life.

 

Nutrition and Exercise: You can prevent weight gain by eating a nutritious diet and exercising daily. This lifestyle change also helps to rebuild muscle tone, boost energy, and reduce your risk of heart disease and other aging-related diseases.

 

Get Sufficient Sleep: Consistent, quality sleep helps to support weight control, heart health, and physical and mental performance. It can also help to prevent the onset of certain diseases. Sleep is necessary for our body and brain functions. Strive to sleep for 7 – 8 hours nightly. Avoid eating before bedtime and eliminate caffeine in the afternoon. Avoid electronics before bedtime as they stimulate the brain and can prevent you from falling asleep.

 

Stop Smoking: Johns Hopkins Medicine explains that “Not smoking is by far the most critical single action you can take to prevent heart disease, heart attack and stroke.” When you decide to quit smoking, replace cravings with healthy habits like exercise or deep breathing for relaxation. You may want to ask your doctor about aids to help you quit, such as the nicotine patch.

 

Limit Sun Exposure: We all need some sunshine to ensure a proper level of vitamin D, which is necessary for bone health and immune function, as well as decreasing depression symptoms. However, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can harm your skin, cause cancer, and damage your eyes. To protect yourself, use an SPF (Sun Protection Factor) sunscreen of 30 or higher and apply it to all exposed skin. Use an SPF-15 or higher lip balm. Wear a long-sleeved shirt, a wide-brimmed hat, and sunglasses. Avoid tanning beds.

 

Exercise Your Brain: As we age, it’s essential to keep our brains active to maintain or improve our cognitive abilities, such as memory and attention span. Give your brain a workout by learning new things, reading, doing a jigsaw puzzle, or solving crossword puzzles.

 

Conclusion

As we age, we will inevitably notice changes in our physical and mental well-being. Living a healthy lifestyle can boost our well-being and prevent disease – it's never too late to start. Transitioning into our 40s can be an exciting and positive new phase of life. 

 

“Life really does begin at forty. Up until then, you are just doing research.”

Carl G. Jung

 

References

 

https://www.nia.nih.gov/about/aging-strategic-directions-research/understanding-dynamics-aging#:~:text=Aging%20is%20associated%20with%20changes,benign%2C%20such%20as%20graying%20hair. 

 

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/its-never-too-late-five-healthy-steps-at-any-age

 

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-depth/mediterranean-diet/art-20047801

 

https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-number-one-way-to-reduce-heart-risk

 

8 Ways To Prime Your Brain For Success

Our brains are essential for the quality of physical and mental performance. Smoking, excess alcohol, stress, or poor dietary habits, to name a few, can have a significant detrimental impact on our brain functionality. These habits also contribute to high blood pressure, cognitive decline, and dementia.

 

Fortunately, habits can be changed, and new strategies can be learned. The following tips can help to improve your brain and prime it for success.

 

Try the Mediterranean Diet (MeDi)

High-quality foods are essential for your brain health and physical fitness. The Mediterranean diet focuses on plant-based foods such as fruits and vegetables, nuts, seeds, beans, fish, whole grains, and healthy oils like olive and avocado oils. 

 

Based on a study of 502,536 participants, people who followed the principles of the MeDi had a 23% less chance of developing dementia. Also, research has found that the MeDi may improve your cognitive capabilities, such as memory.

 

Reduce Stress with Mindfulness Relaxation

Chronic stress can have a significant harmful effect on brain function. Yale Medicine defines chronic stress as “A consistent sense of feeling pressured and overwhelmed over a long period of time.” In today’s hectic world, there are many causes of chronic stress, such as life changes, an unpleasant career, or family dysfunction. When stressed, the brain increases glucocorticoid production, including the stress hormone cortisol. 

 

Mindfulness is a form of meditation that helps you focus on the present rather than dwelling on the past or situations causing you to worry. Other key concepts include paying attention to your surroundings, accepting yourself, and focusing on your breathing.

 

Be Physically Active

The Center for Creative Leadership asked over 1,500 executives how exercise impacts their performance. Approximately 90% said that physical activity “clearly impacts” their performance, 12% reported “some impact,” and no one reported zero impact.
Respondents reported that regular exercise improved mental clarity and focus, increased alertness, and improved problem-solving.

 

In addition to improving your brain, exercise has physical benefits such as lowering blood pressure and cholesterol, reducing anxiety, improving sleep, and strengthening your immune system.

 

Stay Mentally Active

 

The human brain must be exercised like a muscle; if your brain doesn’t get sufficient exercise, the result can be early cognitive decline. There are many activities that you can do to give your brain a workout, such as reading, learning a new language, playing games, or working on a jigsaw puzzle.

 

Sleep Well

The importance of sleep and its effect on your brain should not be underestimated. When you sleep deeply, the brain repairs itself and rejuvenates your immune system. When in REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, the brain compiles details you learned during the prior day.

 

Inadequate sleep contributes to feeling exhausted, can cause concentration, mood, and memory disorders, and suppress your immune system.

 

If you cannot go to sleep or stay asleep, create a bedtime routine by going to bed at the same time nightly and waking up at the same time in the morning. Over time, this will help set your internal clock and become a regular sleep pattern. Also:

 

• Turn off your electronics at least two hours prior to bedtime. This includes cell phones, computers, and social media.
• Eliminate caffeine after 12:00 p.m. The most common sources of caffeine are coffee, tea, soda, and chocolate.
• Avoid eating before bedtime to prevent gastrointestinal issues that may keep you awake.

 

Avoid Smoking

While you may feel that cigarettes or cigars help to calm you and are pleasurable, there are risks to brain functionality. A study by the American Heart Association (AHA) found that smoking is associated with cognitive decline, leading to worsening performance. 

 

Be Socially Active

Social interaction can help to reduce stress and depression, preventing memory loss. Look for ways to interact with others, especially if you live alone. Brain atrophy has been linked to a lack of socialization. Being socially active can strengthen your brain health. 

 

Find Inspiration

The things we tend to take for granted can be inspirational and good for brain health. For example, Psych Central notes that watching the sunrise gives you a feeling of awe, bolsters your mood, and helps you to have a “big picture” mentality where we view situations broadly rather than focusing on limited details. It opens your mind to evaluating scenarios entirely rather than breaking them into detailed parts. 

 

People may also find inspiration from art, visiting a park, or watching the sunset.

 

Conclusion

 

A healthy brain keeps our sensory, cognitive, behavioral, emotional, and motor functions working smoothly. It is essential to develop good habits such as eating properly, being physically, mentally, and socially active, and getting sufficient sleep.

 

Practicing the preceding tips can boost brain health, priming your mind for success and well-being!

 

References

https://bmcmedicine.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12916-023-02772-3

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5502874/

https://www.yalemedicine.org/conditions/stress-disorder

https://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/consumer-health/in-depth/mindfulness-exercises/art-20046356

https://www.ccl.org/articles/leading-effectively-articles/spotlight-on-exercise-and-leadership/

https://brainfoundation.org.au/healthy-brain/

https://www.ahajournals.org/doi/10.1161/str.53.suppl_1.WP17

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/addressing-your-mental-health-by-identifying-the-signs-of-anxiety-and-depression

https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/maintaining-healthy-relationships-is-important-as-we-age