Mindfulness isn’t just the latest meditation fad taken up by celebrities; it’s a very old and very useful technique used to reduce everyday stress and help people cope with bad times in a more positive way. People all over the world find that mindfulness helps them uncover the enjoyment in their lives and makes them more focused and aware of their actions and thoughts. This blog explores what mindfulness is and some exercises you can try in your own time.
For the stressful life of a salon owner, these techniques can be a massive help in getting back a bit of peace of mind whilst achieving more in your salon.
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What Is Mindfulness?
In its most basic definition, mindfulness is about being aware of what you are doing while you’re doing it. This can be applied everywhere; from home to work.
Mindfulness can:
- Help reduce stress, anxiety and conflict
- Increase resilience and emotional intelligence
- Improve communication
It involves developing the ability to pay attention to our thoughts, feelings and experiences and learning to tune into what’s going on in our mind and body. Being aware of our feelings is one thing; being able to tune into these feelings without judgment and self-criticism is quite another.
Maintaining an attitude of kindness towards ourselves is also crucial when practicing mindfulness, as is learning to be aware of what’s going on right here, right now. We might often not be aware of our thoughts but there’s no doubt they have a huge impact on our emotional and mental health and also on how we live our lives.
Being mindful permeates everyday life. That’s why people find it so successful; it may sound obvious but being aware of the simplest things from breathing and talking to walking and eating means we’re not preoccupied with the past or with worries. Practicing mindfulness can help you with daily salon struggles and therefore improve your quality of work.
Take for example when you wash a client’s hair. Think about it less as a mechanical thing you need to do; instead, concentrate on observing your movements, feel them becoming maybe a little slower, more attentive and precise. Not only will you feel good at work, your client’s experience will also improve.
Some Useful Mindfulness Exercises
- Before the workday begins, get in tune with your senses. Notice the temperature of your skin and take notice of the noise around you. Notice any tensions. Try and soften them.
- Be aware of your breathing and just notice that you are breathing in and out. If self-critical thoughts come to mind, just focus back on the breathing.
- Choose a few things you do every day and decide that whenever you do them, that’s when you’ll practice mindfulness. Lunch time is always a good time, but maybe you’ll want to practice mindfulness while you commute or walk to work. Best results tend to come when you find a specific time of the day to practice, every day.
- Pay close attention to the next person you speak to. Listen closely to their words and take some time to think about what they’re saying. This helps to understand other people and limit your own judgment and criticism.
You don’t have to do hour-long mindfulness sessions. In fact, mindfulness expert Andy Puddicombe and founder of the Headspace app claims observing your mind, thoughts and feelings even just 10 minutes a day is a great step towards a healthier and happier life.
This wellness blog was provided by Denise at webdoctor.ie and adapted from its original version. For more health related posts from Webdoctor.ie, click here!
