A Hygge Moment: Mindfulness

Hey readers! Hygge is all about being comfortable and at peace with your mind. What better way to stay peaceful than to practice mindfulness?

Mindfulness is being at one with the world around you and acknowledging sights and sounds, embracing your emotions, and feeling the sensations all over your body. It brings your thoughts to rest and calms your always-racing mind. It is being in the present moment and accepting life as it is. I've been practicing mindfulness for a few years, which has brought me peace of mind in everything I do. Mental health is so important, and mindfulness is the best way to help your mind stay calm and clear.

So let's have a mindful moment. Get yourself into a comfortable position. I want you to tap into your thoughts. What are they saying? Acknowledge them. Embrace them. The good and the bad. The happy and the sad. Now, take a deep breath. Four seconds in, hold for four seconds; four seconds out, hold for four seconds. Do this three more times. With each inhale, imagine gathering up all these thoughts and letting them out with your exhale.

Pay attention to how your body feels. Are you tired? Do you have a headache? Does one part of your body feel uncomfortable? Is your foot asleep from sitting on it for too long? Try and focus on sensations. It's okay if your mind wanders off. That's normal. If you notice you're becoming distracted, gently bring your focus back to the present moment.

Now close your eyes for twenty seconds and focus on the sounds and scents around you. What did you hear or smell? Maybe someone is making dinner downstairs, and you can hear pots clanging and smell something delicious baking in the oven. Or perhaps you hear people outside or smell the dusty scent of books in your room. Whatever it is, acknowledge that too.

Take a look around your room. Focus on something in the room that brings you joy, and let that joy fill you up. Maybe it's a knick-knack that has a special story behind it. Or a gift from a friend. For me, it would probably be a portrait of a horse I painted by hand when I was a kid. It was my first big project, and I was so proud of myself when it was done.

Take one more deep breath, and let it out. Thank you so much for sharing this mindful moment with me. Whenever you feel stressed, remember to stop and take a breath. Because pretty soon, it'll all be okay.