In this busy world that we live in, people are constantly overwhelmed with how much they need to accomplish. Our to-do lists get longer every day, and we find it hard to make time to quiet our minds and center ourselves. A new study shows that you can try to incorporate mindful meditation techniques even as you go about your day-to-day routine.
Florida State University researchers recruited 51 student volunteers to wash dishes for a recent study. Students were given a short, 230 word reading on the practice of mindfulness before they started the task, and at the end of the time, 27% of them reported a decrease in nervous behaviors and 25% of them felt mentally inspired.
Those that tried the mindfulness practices found themselves focusing on sensory aspects of the job, such as the smell of the soap or the warmth of the water. They felt they were able to quiet their mind during the task, and some even reported the sensation of time slowing down as they focused on the moment.
One of the lead scientists feels that this state of mindfulness can be accomplished during other moments and states, “I was particularly interested in how the mundane activities in life could be used to promote a mindful state and, thus, increase the overall sense of well-being.”
If you’re feeling like life is running on fast-forward and you need a few minutes to quiet your spirit, consider filling up the sink and tackling a pile of dishes. The worst thing that can happen is you get the dishes done, but if you take the time to intentionally become aware of the sensory experience and let yourself find a place of peace, you may come away with less stress, and more motivation too.
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