One-Minute Mindfulness

Many people feel that they just don’t have time to meditate.  It is really common to get caught up in our busy days, and then before we know it, the time we intended to sit quietly has come and gone.

Yet the practice of mindfulness can happen anywhere and at any time. We can practice mindfulness if we are running around doing errands, cleaning up the house, driving, eating, walking, or washing dishes.  It is just a matter of paying attention to what we are doing, as we are doing it.

One of the mindfulness tools that I really like is the practice of STOP:

Stop, Take a breath, Observe, Proceed. 

STOP can be a really useful tool to use during the day when we realize that we’ve gotten caught up in a hectic or stressful situation.  Just by STOPping and creating a moment of silent space, we can then have the opportunity to respond appropriately, rather than react.  And the good news is that this only takes a minute!

So even if you feel like you don’t have time right now to build meditation into your day, you can begin with this simple practice that only takes a minute.  Even try STOP while you are in the shower, in your car, or while at the dinner table.  Taking a moment to be present to our experience can bring a profound sense of appreciation into the present moment. 

Corinne Zupka teaches Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) and offers Life Coaching services at Yoga Plus Herbs.  She has earned a B.A. in Psychology, an M.A. in Counseling, and an Ed.S. in Counseling with a specialization in Meditation. She has 10 years of experience working with clients, is a Certified Professional Coach, Adjunct Faculty member at The College of New Jersey, meditation teacher, and has taken extensive trainings in MBSR.

Yoga Plus Herbs, Marlboro Plaza, Intersection of Rte 9 and Rte 520 in Marlboro, NJ 07726, 732-617-2020, http://www.yogaplusherbs.com/, info at yogaplusherbs dot com