How to Relieve Stress and Gain Clarity: A Quick Mindfulness Practice

Read Time: 5 minutes

When was the last time you paid attention and took time to yourself? I mean, really, truly took time to yourself because you were aware that you needed it?

For myself, it’s hard to recall. I keep my schedule tight and organized up until I have to go to sleep. Day after day, week after week. Honestly, it’s almost as if I believe that distracting myself is easier than paying attention to everything that I am feeling or experiencing.

So often, distracting ourselves becomes a mundane task of living our lives. To give way to our busied thoughts and tasks of the every day such as school, work, family, friends, chores. Our instinct unfolds to this idea that it is easier to be absent-minded to ourselves - to our fears, our anxieties, our worries - all the pressures and demands of our lives. Thus the distraction becomes easier than the ability to pay attention.

But what do you think would happen if we chose to turn inward instead? To attune to our mind, emotions, and bodies…to become aware of our thoughts, our pressures, our demands? In essence, what would happen if we were to practice the act of mindfulness?

Mindfulness, in and of itself, is the process of becoming aware to your present experience. When we actually turn in and name what is happening, verbally or non-verbally, we become aware of our present experience. In turn, all of those things that seemed overwhelming or stress-inducing, now have the possibility of being manageable.

But it isn’t easy - it’s hard. This week, I want to challenge you to practice becoming aware to what you are experiencing. You don’t have to stay there long, but at least name it and see that it is there. And to help, I’m giving you a FREE mindfulness tool: Our Therapeutic Coloring Book!

Mindful coloring is a quick way to give some space and time to yourself while also learning how to cope with whatever it is that you are experiencing today. There’s no need to sign up for a class or find a guided meditation, just download and print (or use in an app!).

Until next time.

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About Our Author | Lena McCain MA, LPC. 0017723

Lena McCain is our Founder here at Interfaith Bridge Counseling, where she continues her support as our Clinical Director. She also holds a Master of Arts degree in Clinical Mental Health: Mindfulness-Based Transpersonal Counseling Psychology from Naropa University.

Lena’s drive and passions lie in the realm of community building and youth collaboration, which she has spent the last 12 years studying with an emphasis on one’s exploration of personal growth, community healing, and multicultural values. Lena’s expertise in these areas and the therapeutic field acts as a reminder to our community, teens, and young adults that they are not alone in their experience of life.