Soothe your brain with these mindfulness practices

Mindfulness is the practice of being present in your body and acknowledging however it is you're feeling. Achieving mindfulness might be more difficult that you expect — it can be hard to quiet all the thoughts racing through our brains!

Coloring is an activity that can help with mindfulness. It lets us focus on something other than ourselves and our own stresses, which helps relax our brains, according to the Cleveland Clinic. A British research study indicated coloring can help decrease anxiety, too.

See if coloring in this brain helps you soothe your own. Click the download button to print the picture. 

Download

Then try these other practices, recommended by GoNoodle, that help improve mindfulness:

1.

Lie down and place a stuffed animal on your belly. Breathe in and out like normal and watch as your Breathing Buddy moves up and down. Then take short breaths like you're angry or scared. See how your buddy becomes shaky and wobbly? Go back to inhaling and exhaling slowly and deeply to calm down your buddy and yourself.

2.

While sitting or lying down, squeeze your eyes closed and tense up the rest of your body. Squeeze your toes and every muscle up to your face — flex your leg muscles, suck in your belly and tighten your fists. Hold the tightness in your body for a few seconds, then let go completely. Notice how nice and calm you feel when you relax.

3.

Go for a walk and pay special attention to whatever is stimulating your five senses: touch, taste, smell, see and hear. How does the ground feel underneath your shoes? What does the air smell like? What animal sounds can you hear when you stop to listen? Go on a few walks and notice how your observations change with the seasons.

Comments: molly.duffy@thegazette.com