Simple Mindfulness Practices Unpacked with The Talking Joy Team
Anything that is fed energy will grow! The Talking Joy Team explores 5 exercises from the book, How To Train A Wild Elephant. "A growing body of research is showing that mindfulness can reduce stress, improve physical health, and improve one’s overall quality of life. Jan Chozen Bays, MD—physician and Zen teacher—has developed a series of simple practices to help us cultivate mindfulness as we go about our ordinary, daily lives. Exercises include: taking three deep breaths before answering the phone, noticing and adjusting your posture throughout the day, eating mindfully, and leaving no trace of yourself after using the kitchen or bathroom. Each exercise is presented with tips on how to remind yourself and a short life lesson connected with it."
Hi everyone! Here are a few exercises I would like to try (get your family involved too!) They are from a book called; How to Train a Wild Elephant: And Other Adventures in Mindfulness by Jan Chozen Bays
"A growing body of research is showing that mindfulness can reduce stress, improve physical health, and improve one’s overall quality of life. Jan Chozen Bays, MD—physician and Zen teacher—has developed a series of simple practices to help us cultivate mindfulness as we go about our ordinary, daily lives. Exercises include: taking three deep breaths before answering the phone, noticing and adjusting your posture throughout the day, eating mindfully, and leaving no trace of yourself after using the kitchen or bathroom. Each exercise is presented with tips on how to remind yourself and a short life lesson connected with it."
INVITATION: Pick 2 out of the 5 options that inspire you that you hear on the podcast!
Compliments - think of someone close to you and give them a genuine compliment. The more specific the compliment the better. Become aware throughout the week of any compliments other people give you. As a reminder post the word “Compliment” in places where you will see it often.
Listen - Several times a day, stop and just listen. Open your ears as if they are giant radar dishes. Listen to the obvious sounds, the subtle sounds—in your body, in the room and outside. Post a simple drawling of an ear around the house.
Notice Trees - during the week become aware of the trees around you. Notice the different aspects-shapes, heights, branches and flowers. Just notice and appreciate. A good time to notice is on the way to the store or school.
Hot and Cold - Pay attention this week to the sensations of hot and cold. Notice any physical or emotional reaction to temperature. Practice being at ease not matter what the temperature. Put up little signs with a thermometer.
Use Your Nondominant Hand - try this with ordinary tasks each day. Brushing teeth, eating etc. Try putting a bandaid on your dominant hand. When you notice it switch. Or you could put a note on your bathroom mirror that says “LEFT HAND” or tape a traced drawling of your hand around the house.
