Learn the Many Benefits of Mindfulness: We Offer Training You Can Do at Home

Your mind and body are intricately connected. When you learn to relax your mind and focus on the present moment, your body can maintain a better state of health. Practicing mindfulness is one way to strengthen your mind-body connection and enhance your overall wellbeing.

Our experienced neurology team at Abbey Neurodynamic Center incorporates mindfulness training into many of our treatments, including neurofeedback therapy. We find that it enhances your brain’s healing and cognitive abilities so that you can achieve a greater sense of wellbeing. The best part is that you can take the mindfulness training we provide and practice it yourself at home.

Benefits of mindfulness 

Mindfulness does more than just enhance your ability to relax. In fact, it’s proven to help in a variety of ways, from improved emotional intelligence to decreased rumination on things that happened in the past. It can even help when treating disorders like ADHD, anxiety, depression, and chronic illness. 

Just the act of regularly practicing mindfulness enhances connectivity in your neural structures and increases your brain function. This helps boost your cognitive functioning and mental clarity.

Other benefits of mindfulness include:

• Improved working memory
• Increased ability to focus and be less distracted  
• Reduced stress
• Better emotional regulation
• Greater self-control 
• Lower blood pressure
• Less muscle tension

Practicing mindfulness can help you have a better relationship with yourself and others. Learning how to tune into your own feelings and emotions can give you better self-awareness and the ability to better accept and be compassionate toward others. 

Mindfulness techniques you can practice at home

While many treatments require a medical professional and a sterile room, mindfulness can be done by yourself anytime and anywhere. You just need yourself and a quiet, relaxing space where you can block out noise and focus inward. Once you do, you can practice any of these mindfulness techniques to feel more centered and grounded.

Mindful breathing

Relax in a comfortable position, with your eyes either opened or closed. Count several deep breaths in and several deep breaths out. It’s important to focus on your breathing and counting. Try not to rush through your breathing. Mindful breathing can release tension in your body and make you feel less anxious. 

Mindful eating 

With mindful eating, the goal is to slow down and observe what you put into your mouth. Take time to notice the taste and sensation of the food, and how your body feels while you’re eating. If it helps, you can close your eyes to block out external noise or count how many times you chew. This exercise helps heighten your senses and lets you become more aware of how your body responds to any kind of stimulus. 

Mindful observation

Whether you’re inside or outside, choose an object to focus on. Notice the object as though you’re seeing it for the first time. Examine its color, shape, and even its scent. Spend time really observing it as a way to learn to focus on whatever’s in front of you without distraction.  

With regular mindfulness practice, you can enhance your mind as well as your body. To find out more about mindfulness training, call our office in Palo Alto, California at 650-210-7922, or send us a message online today.