Mindfulness is the art of living in the moment. Instead of worrying about something that happened yesterday or stressing about what might happen tomorrow, mindfulness helps you make the most of today. When done right, it can relieve stress and anxiety while promoting relaxation and contentment. If this sounds appealing, here are a few tips for practicing it daily. 

Understanding the Basics

Before you begin, remember there’s no right or wrong way to practice mindfulness. There are, however, a few steps that work for most people when they’re feeling anxiety. Start by taking a comfortable seat in a quiet room. After getting settled, pay attention to your breathing. Feel the air fill your lungs and escape again. If your mind wanders, that’s okay. Just bring it back to your breath. After 10 minutes have passed, resume whatever you were doing, but come back and try again when the need strikes. 

Devising a Routine 

The best way to incorporate mindfulness into a daily routine—and consistently reap the benefits that it sows—is by practicing it at the same time every day. For example, consider doing it every morning, right after you wake up. You could also try doing it before bed every night. Just make sure to give it your full attention—but don’t beat yourself up if your mind wanders. Like anything else, mindfulness requires practice to master. 

While mindfulness can certainly help relieve a considerable amount of stress, it may not provide the dramatic results you’re hoping for if you have clinical anxiety. Thankfully, there are other ways to combat this condition. If you want to explore them, turn to Sonda Sexton-Jones. A licensed counselor, she has been helping clients throughout Juneau, AK, for more than 25 years. Her services include couples therapy and grief counseling. To learn more about her background, visit her website. To make an appointment to discuss your anxiety, call (907) 586-3313.