Mindfulness Exercises
Come Back
When you catch yourself being caught up in worries about the future or guilt and regret about the past, just notice that it is
happening and simply and kindly say to yourself, “Come back.” Then take a calming breath and focus on what you are doing
right now.
3 Senses
A helpful mindfulness trick is simply to notice what you are experiencing right now through 3 senses – sound, sight, touch.
Take a few slow breaths and ask yourself:
Think of these answers to yourself slowly, one sense at a time. It’s impossible to do this exercise and not be present and
mindful!
Mindful Breathing
The intention of this brief exercise is to focus your attention on your breath as you allow thoughts and sensations to come and
go in the background. Find a comfortable place to sit. Put your feet flat on the ground and try to straighten your posture.
Gently close your eyes. Let your shoulders drop down and away from your ears.
Pay attention to your breathing and just allow yourself to continue to breathe naturally.
Now, rest your hands gently on your belly with the fingertips of each hand lightly touching in the middle.
Breathe in smoothly through your nose. And exhale slowly through your mouth. Continue to take slow, smooth breaths.
When you breathe in, notice your belly push your hands gently apart, as you fill your lower lungs with air. When you breathe
out, notice your belly sink back towards your spine as you release your breath. You can imagine that your belly is a balloon. Fill
it with air and then watch it deflate. Now continue to focus on the gentle inhalation and exhalation of your breath.
In...and out...
If any other thoughts or images come into your mind during this exercise, just notice them, and gently bring your attention
back to your breath. You may also become aware of physical sensations or feelings in your body.
Simply notice them, and then again, bring your mind back to your breath.
You don’t need to analyze or give these thoughts or feelings any meaning in this moment. Simply acknowledge them without
judgment and bring your mind back to your breath.
It’s normal for your mind to wander. Simply notice that your mind has wandered and gently bring your attention back to your
breath.
Continue to focus on your breathing and stay in this relaxed state for as long as you like. When you are ready, slowly open
your eyes and bring your attention back to your surroundings.
Body Scan
Lie down in a comfortable place like a carpeted floor, couch or bed.
Although you may feel sleepy or your mind may drift while doing this exercise, the goal is to try and remain alert and aware of
the present moment.
Gently close your eyes. Let your shoulders drop down and away from your ears. Bring your attention to your breathing.
Breathe in...and out... and just allow yourself to continue to breathe naturally.
The aim of this exercise is to bring awareness to the physical sensations in different parts of your body. Your mind is probably
used to labeling these sensations as good or pleasurable; or bad, uncomfortable, or even painful.
For this exercise, see if you are able to just notice what you feel without judgment – for example, do you notice tingling,
warmth, pulsating, tightness, or other sensations. Again, it’s not about
whether these sensations are goodor bad, it’s just about noticing them.
Continue to breathe at your own pace, allowing each breathe to come as it may, without any conscious effort to change your
breathing. Notice your lungs slowly fill with air when you breathe in and deflate when you breathe out.
Now, bring your awareness to where your body makes contact with the floor, couch or bed. On each outbreath, allow yourself
to let go, to sink a little deeper into the surface below you.
Scan your left foot for any sensations. Simply become aware of them. Scan
your left calf. Notice and allow any sensations that may be present. Scan
slowly, up through your thigh now. Allow yourself to feel any and all sensations. If you don’t feel anything at the moment,
that’s okay. Just allow yourself to “not” feeling anything. If you do become aware of tension, or other intense sensations in a
particular part of your body, see if you can "breathe in" to it —using the in-
breath to bring a gentle awareness to the sensations present in your body, without trying to change them.
Now, scan for any sensation in your right foot your calf and thigh. Simply notice all sensations and feel what is happening.
Continue to bring awareness, and a gentle curiosity to the sensations in your right leg. The mind will inevitably wander away
from the breath and the body from time to time, which is normal. When you notice your mind has wandered, gently
acknowledge it, and then return your attention to the part of the body you intended to focus on.
Now focus on your stomach. Feel it rising as you breathe in. Sinking as you exhale. Nice and slow. Your heart rate may slow
down. This is normal. Remain aware of your stomach, your breath. Breathe in... and out...
Continue to notice any sensations in your stomach area.
Body Scan 1
Now scan for any sensations in your left hand and arm. Simply becomeaware of the different sensations and feel what is
happening. Continue to bring awareness, and a gentle curiosity to the sensations. Again, If you don’t feel anything at the
moment, that’s okay. Scan for any sensations in your right hand and arm. Continue to bring awareness, and a gentle curiosity
to the sensations.
Come back up to your chest. Continue scanning up along your neck, and to your face. Feel the sensations in your jaw, and your
throat. Notice how the back of your head rests against the surface under you. Bring your awareness the top of your head.
Now, take a moment to notice how all your body parts are connected. Let any sensations come to you. Just notice what kind
of sensation it is – tingling, warmth, coolness, heaviness, floating. Accept whatever sensation there is as just that, a sensation
that will arise and slowly and gradually change. It is just another part of you.
Continue to focus on your breathing for as long as you like. When you are ready, slowly open your eyes and bring your
back to your surroundings.
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