Reset, Relax, and Recharge by Practicing Mindfulness
Mindfulness trains your brain to stay in the present moment. Practicing mindfulness can lower your blood pressure, while helping you stay relaxed, focused, alert, and tuned in to your body.
Did you know that practicing mindfulness can enhance your ability to perform at your best during training, in daily operations, or combat? It can also help reduce pain and stress. Mindfulness can improve impulse control and assist in recovering from stressful events.
What is Mindfulness? Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention to the present moment. This state is described as observing one’s thoughts and feelings without judging them as good or bad.
Benefits of Mindfulness
- Improves relaxation
- Lowers blood pressure
- Improves sleep
- Helps ability to focus
- Strengthens relationships
- Reduces pain and stress
- Improves impulse control
Being Present in the Moment
Have you ever missed a turn while driving because you were thinking about something else? Do you forget what you were going to say right before you start to speak? Everyone gets distracted and has difficulties staying present sometimes. So how do we get ourselves to be present in the moment?
One way is to practice mindfulness for at least 10 minutes each day. Practicing regularly will help you feel calmer and more relaxed, which can even lead to better quality sleep.
Try the deep breathing technique below:
- Sit comfortably with your spine as straight as possible.
- Breathe in slowly until you feel it in your stomach.
- Hold the breath for one second.
- Exhale slowly.
- Rest for three to five seconds.
- Repeat.
Mindfulness is a skill. Like any skill, the more you practice, the better you will be.
Connect with an OSCAR team member, your installation’s Semper Fit Health Promotion team, or Community Counseling Program to begin your mindfulness journey.