Most of the time when we're working, gaming or watching TV we're barely aware that our body exists. We're so engrossed in what we're doing we don't notice our lungs absorbing the oxygen we need or our heart pumping blood around the body.

The body is the easiest way to connect yourself to the present moment - if you find meditation difficult or have given up in the past, it's a great way to ease yourself into the practice. By noticing the movement as we breathe in and breathe out, the pressure of contact with the chair/floor and differences in temperature, we can let go of anxieties around the future and regrets from the past. It seems too easy to be true, but the opportunity for peace and calm exists in every moment.  

Meditation  can be used to reduce stress / anxiety, improve your mood and live a  more peaceful, fulfilled life. If you find it helpful, I invite you to  share on Facebook and say hello!   If you're on Apple podcasts, you may wish to leave a review. May you be happy, may you be peaceful, may you be healthy and live a long life.

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We all try our best to speak kindly to the people around us but during stressful periods we can sometimes get a bit snippy (especially if someone is clicking their pen repeatedly). Its OK to have a bad day - but we can limit the impact of our grumpiness by regularly checking in with how we're feeling and taking time to tend to our difficult feelings. Nothing is more important than your peace - and by working on your peace your words will be kinder, making the world a better place.

 Meditation  can be used to reduce stress / anxiety, improve your mood and live a  more peaceful, fulfilled life. If you find it helpful, I invite you to  share on Facebook and say hello!   If you're on Apple podcasts, you may wish to leave a review. May you be happy, may you be peaceful, may you be healthy and live a long life.

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Email your questions / suggestions: [email protected]

Its normal for us to worry about our health - we're evolved to be vigilant to danger. But when that vigilance spills over into constant worrying we need to be aware and be kind to ourselves. The roots of our anxiety lie can lie in the past but the small things we do every day (like looking up symptoms) can water the seeds of fear and drive our suffering. Accepting impermanence is key to living a calm, happy life - just as we never swim in the same river twice, we are changing all the time.

Meditation  can be used to reduce stress / anxiety, improve your mood and live a  more peaceful, fulfilled life. If you find it helpful, I invite you to  share on Facebook and say hello!   If you're on Apple podcasts, you may wish to leave a review. May you be happy, may you be peaceful, may you be healthy and live a long life.

Twitter - https://twitter.com/mindfulness_for

Email your questions / suggestions: [email protected] 

In previous episodes, we've discussed how the roots of our anxiety, anger and sadness can lie in past experiences and how seeing what drives these emotions gives us the insight to let go of our suffering. Just as important though, is to look at the choices we make every day which have a huge influence over how we feel. When we hold onto resentments or consume unhealthy things we water the seeds of anger and fear. However, being aware of our choice, choosing to be kind with our thoughts, our voice and our actions, we can water the seeds of joy and freedom, building a peaceful, happy life for ourselves. 

Email your questions on mindfulness: [email protected]

Meditation  can be used to reduce stress / anxiety, improve your mood and live a  more peaceful, fulfilled life. If you find it helpful, I invite you to  share on Facebook and say hello!   If you're on Apple podcasts, you may wish to leave a review. May you be happy, may you be peaceful, may you be healthy and live a long life.

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Sharing a home with the people we love, we can sometimes speak less kindly than we intend in moments of disagreement. When we feel anger, we can choose not to speak, allowing ourselves time to cool off. We can breathe, we can walk and we can spend time attempting to understand the circumstances that lead to the other person's point of view. Meditation is a great way for us to reaffirm our intention to speak kindly to others, to listen and to seek to relieve suffering. Using Thich Nhat Hanh's fourth mindfulness training, we can transform anger and fear into understanding, helping us to live happier, calmer lives.

Email your questions on mindfulness: [email protected]

Meditation  can be used to reduce stress / anxiety, improve your mood and live a  more peaceful, fulfilled life. If you find it helpful, I invite you to  share on Facebook and say hello!   If you're on Apple podcasts, you may wish to leave a review. May you be happy, may you be peaceful, may you be healthy and live a long life.

Twitter - https://twitter.com/mindfulness_for

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-at-mindfulness-for-beginners-7b79a019b/

The most common question I get asked about mindfulness and meditation is "how do I clear my mind?" or "what do I do if I'm having lots of thoughts?" Some people say they can't meditate because of these thoughts.

This is normal - noone can keep their mind clear for an extended period and the goal of meditation and mindfulness isn't to clear the mind. If there is an "aim", it's simply to be present with whatever you're experiencing in the present moment. Sometimes our mind is busy - we can breathe and observe this, watching the thoughts like clouds passing overhead. With practice and time, the space between thoughts can increase and we can spend more time in the present moment.

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We can sometimes be our harshest critic, beating ourselves up for minor errors that other people don't even notice. If this is a common occurrence for you, mindfulness can help to reduce your suffering. 

The Buddhist tradition talks about the idea of the 'second arrow' - the first are everyday events or thoughts that cause us pain, while the second is our reaction to it. Often the second arrow can hurt us more than the first; but by being present with our difficult thoughts - even angry, negative thoughts towards ourselves - we can transform our suffering into happiness and learn to be kind to ourselves as we would to a friend in pain.

Email your questions on mindfulness: [email protected]

Meditation  can be used to reduce stress / anxiety, improve your mood and live a  more peaceful, fulfilled life. If you find it helpful, I invite you to  share on Facebook and say hello!   If you're on Apple podcasts, you may wish to leave a review. May you be happy, may you be peaceful, may you be healthy and live a long life.

Twitter - https://twitter.com/mindfulness_for

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-at-mindfulness-for-beginners-7b79a019b/

We all like a lazy start to the day now and then but starting your day grounded in the present moment can set the tone for the rest of the day - stretching, having a ritual around your tea / coffee and mindful eating are great ways to start the day. Practicing mindfulness meditation first thing in the morning can also carry a sense of peace through the rest of your day. You can focus this on your breath, your body or gratitude for the simple everyday things we take for granted.

Meditation  can be used to reduce stress / anxiety, improve your mood and live a  more peaceful, fulfilled life. If you find it helpful, I invite you to  share with others and say hello!   If you're on Apple podcasts, you may wish to leave a review. May you be happy, may you be peaceful, may you be healthy and live a long life.

Twitter - https://twitter.com/mindfulness_for

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-at-mindfulness-for-beginners-7b79a019b/

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We can all be hard on ourselves sometimes; we may think that we're not living up to our own or other people's expectations. But you don't need to be any more than you are - you have a good and compassionate nature. By getting comfortable with who we are, we need less affirmation from the people around us, reducing strain on relationships and making for a calmer, happier life. 

Meditation  can be used to reduce stress / anxiety, improve your mood and live a  more peaceful, fulfilled life. If you find it helpful, I invite you to  share with others and say hello!   If you're on Apple podcasts, you may wish to leave a review. May you be happy, may you be peaceful, may you be healthy and live a long life.

Twitter - https://twitter.com/mindfulness_for

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-at-mindfulness-for-beginners-7b79a019b/

Insomnia can have a hugely detrimental effect on your mental health, especially if you regularly miss sleep. When we lie awake at night, we can frequently have stressful thoughts that prevent us from relaxing enough to drop off - meditating before bedtime can help to accept and let go of these difficult thoughts and feelings. Reducing caffeine and screen time along with regular mindfulness practice can help you sleep soundly and have happier days. 

Meditation  can be used to reduce stress / anxiety, improve your mood and live a  more peaceful, fulfilled life. If you find it helpful, I invite you to  share with others and say hello!   If you're on Apple podcasts, you may wish to leave a review. May you be happy, may you be peaceful, may you be healthy and live a long life.

Twitter - https://twitter.com/mindfulness_for

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shaun-at-mindfulness-for-beginners-7b79a019b/