Ever find yourself stuck in life? Don’t sweat! Enter your new BFFs for life’s ups and downs: mindfulness and meditation! Even celebs swear…
What’s Mindfulness Got to Do With a Zen Life?
Picture this: You’re stuck in traffic and the guy next to you won’t stop honking. Normally, you’d be steaming mad, right?
But instead, you take a deep breath and just chill. You’re fully in the moment, not letting stress get to you.
That, my friend, is mindfulness in action!
“Mindfulness helps you go home to the present. And every time you go there and recognize a condition of happiness that you have, happiness comes.”
Thich Nhat Hanh
Being mindful means being fully present and aware of what’s going on, what you’re doing, and how you’re feeling.
Grounding: Your Reality Check
Grounding is what keeps you from going bonkers when stuff hits the fan. It’s like mentally tapping yourself and saying, “Hey, you’re here, you’re okay, chill out.”
Basically, you focus on real, concrete stuff around you to keep your mind from going into meltdown mode.
Oprah, the Queen of All Media, is basically saying grounding keeps you real. No drama, no fuss.
I have written an Ebook for this playful grounding practice that you can download for free here.
In the Start Grounding EBook, I share:
- Various fun and simple ways to ground
- Frequently asked questions about grounding, and
- Easy grounding tips so that you can truly improve your ability to ground – release stress and anxiety, and heal your life
The Brainy Bits: What Science Says About Mindfulness
Reduced Anxiety & Depression
Research in the journal JAMA Internal Medicine found that mindfulness meditation programs showed moderate evidence of improving anxiety and depression.
Enhanced Emotional Well-being
A study published in Psychological Science suggests that mindfulness can lead to less emotional reactivity.
Boosts Creativity
According to a study in Frontiers in Cognition, mindfulness can enhance creative thinking.
Better Relationships
The Journal of Marriage and Family Therapy published research suggesting that mindfulness can improve relationship satisfaction.
The A-List Awakenings: Celeb Transformations with Meditation
Hugh Jackman
Wolverine himself is a big advocate for meditation, saying it changed his life. He’s been practicing Transcendental Meditation for over 20 years.
Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen turned to meditation after some rough patches. She swears by it for keeping her grounded and focused.
Katy Perry
Ever wonder how Katy keeps pumping out those pop anthems? She says that Transcendental Meditation helps her relieve built-up stress and stimulates her creativity.
LeBron James
The King of the Court credits some of his incredible focus and resilience to his meditation practice. He’s like, “Yeah, I dunk, but I also breathe deeply.”
3 Mindfulness and Grounding Techniques to Increase Happiness Quotient
The 5-4-3-2-1 Trick
Feeling like you’re about to explode? Name 5 things you can see, 4 you can touch, 3 you can hear, 2 you can smell, and 1 you can taste.
It’s kinda like a game to help you slow down and remember you’re okay!
The Breathing Thing
“I find that the breath is a wonderful vehicle for getting the awareness out of the head and into the body. The breath is your safest bet for finding the present moment.”
Jeff Goldblum
Inhale, hold, exhale—1, 2, 3, 4. This is how you keep it cool when the heat is on.
Say Thanks for Three Things
Big Willy style himself says it: Gratitude turns blahs into YEEEAAAHHHHH!
Quick, three things you’re stoked about—GO!
Wrapping up on mindfulness and grounding
Science says that meditation is as good for your brain as a triple-shot espresso is for your morning mood.
And celebs? They’re living proof that a little mindfulness goes a long way in turning your life from a drama into a dream.
