Tag: Mental Health

Embracing Walking Meditation

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Mindful Living

In our fast-paced world, mindful living offers a path to greater presence and peace. One powerful way to cultivate mindfulness daily is through mindful walking meditation. Unlike traditional seated meditation, walking meditation invites movement, nature, and awareness into each step. This practice can be done anywhere—on a walk through the park, a stroll down your street, or even pacing around a small room. Whether you’re new to mindfulness or looking for fresh ways to deepen your practice, mindful walking offers a beautiful way to connect with the present moment.

What is Walking Meditation?

Walking meditation is a form of meditation that combines movement with awareness. Rather than rushing from one place to another, you slow down, walking in a way that allows you to notice the sensations of your body and the world around you. It’s less about reaching a destination and more about being fully present in the journey, using each step as an opportunity to embrace and practice mindfulness.

This practice can be tailored to fit your day, whether you have just a few minutes or want to spend more extended time in nature. As you walk, you can focus on the feeling of your feet touching the ground, the movement of your muscles, the sounds around you, and even the rhythm of your breath. Walking meditation bridges the gap between traditional seated meditation and the active world, making it a versatile and accessible practice for all.

How to Practice Walking Meditation

If you’re new to mindful walking, here’s a simple guide. Aim to walk somewhere quiet if possible, but know that you can practice anywhere—even a bustling city street!

1. Set Your Intention

Begin by setting a clear intention to walk mindfully. Remind yourself that this isn’t about exercise or reaching a destination; it’s about being fully present. You might say to yourself, “I am here to connect with each step.”

2. Start by Focusing on Your Posture

Stand tall, yet relaxed. Feel the soles of your feet connecting with the ground. Bring your attention to the present moment by taking a few deep breaths. Notice how your body feels and allow yourself to arrive fully in this moment.

3. Take Slow, Deliberate Steps

Begin to walk slowly, lifting one foot, moving it forward, and placing it down with awareness. Pay attention to the sensations in your legs and feet—the pressure, the texture of the ground, and the movement of each muscle.

4. Coordinate Breath and Steps

Notice your breathing as you walk. Some people find it helpful to synchronize their breath with their steps—for example, taking two steps as you breathe in and two as you breathe out. You might choose a pattern that feels natural to you, or simply allow your breath to flow freely.

5. Engage All Your Senses

Mindful walking is not just about your body; it’s about experiencing the world around you. Notice the sounds, smells, and sights as you walk. Feel the air against your skin, listen to the rustling of leaves, or observe the light. If your mind starts to wander, gently bring it back to the sensations of walking.

6. Return to the Present When You Drift

It’s natural for thoughts to arise as you walk. When you notice your mind wandering, simply acknowledge it without judgment and bring your attention back to the sensations of walking. The act of returning to the present is an essential part of mindfulness practice.

7. End with Gratitude

When you’re ready to finish, pause for a moment and take a deep breath. Reflect on the experience with gratitude for the time you spent connecting with yourself and the world. You might place your hands on your heart and take a few moments of silence to close the practice.

The Benefits of Walking Meditation

Walking meditation has a range of mental, emotional, and physical benefits. Here are a few ways it can enhance your mindful living journey:

• Reduces Stress and Anxiety: Focusing on the present moment helps to quiet the mind, reducing stress and anxiety as you step away from worries and into awareness.

• Enhances Focus and Concentration: Walking meditation trains the mind to stay with one task at a time, which can improve focus in other areas of your life.

• Increases Body Awareness: By tuning into each movement, you become more connected to your body, helping you notice tension, stiffness, or areas where you can bring more ease.

• Connects You with Nature: Walking meditation offers a unique opportunity to experience the natural world with mindfulness, which can foster a sense of connection and gratitude.

• Boosts Emotional Resilience: Regular practice can help you build a habit of returning to the present, which can support emotional balance and resilience over time.

Tips for Integrating Walking Meditation into Daily Life

• Start Small: Begin with just a few minutes each day. As you become more comfortable, you can extend your sessions.

• Practice Anywhere: Mindful walking doesn’t have to be a big event. Try it while walking to your car, in the grocery store, or as you go about your daily routines.

• Combine with Traditional Meditation: Walking meditation is a great complement to seated meditation. If you find seated meditation challenging, walking meditation might be a refreshing alternative.

• Use Visual Reminders: Place reminders around your home or on your phone to take a few mindful steps throughout your day.

Back and Better Than Ever: My Health and Wellness Journey Continues

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Introduction

Hello, friends! It’s been a while since my last post, and I’ve missed connecting with all of you. Life has a way of throwing unexpected curveballs, and sometimes, we need to take a step back to recharge, refocus, and regain our sense of balance. That’s exactly what I’ve been doing over the past few years—and I’m happy to say that I’m back, feeling more refreshed and energized than ever!

During my time away, I took the opportunity to focus on my own health and wellness journey. As someone who loves sharing tips and insights with all of you, it’s important for me to walk the walk, not just talk the talk. Here’s what I’ve learned during this period of reflection:

1. The Importance of Rest

I’ve always believed in the power of rest, but I wasn’t practicing it as much as I needed to. Sometimes, in our busy lives, we forget that rest is just as important as exercise, nutrition, and mental wellness. This break allowed me to recharge and understand that rest is a form of self-care, not a luxury.

2. Mindfulness Matters

I spent a lot of time focusing on mindfulness, learning to live in the present moment. Whether through meditation, yoga, or simply taking a few deep breaths, mindfulness has helped me stay grounded and reduce stress. If there’s one thing I encourage everyone to incorporate into their routine, it’s mindfulness practices.

3. Listening to My Body

I realized I hadn’t been paying attention to what my body was truly telling me. Whether it was the need for more hydration, better nutrition, or a different form of movement, tuning in to my body’s needs has been transformative. Learning to listen is key to long-term wellness.

4. Healthy Habits Take Time

I’ve recommitted to my health goals, but I’ve also embraced the fact that meaningful change takes time. I’m no longer in a rush to hit the next milestone but instead focused on building sustainable, healthy habits that will serve me for years to come.

What’s Next?

I’m thrilled to be back and ready to share more health and wellness content that’s rooted in real-life experiences. Whether you’re looking for tips on fitness, nutrition, mental health, or simply finding balance in your daily life, I’ve got plenty of exciting posts coming your way.

Thank you for sticking with me and for all of your support. I can’t wait to dive back in and continue this journey together, stronger and better than ever! Stay tuned for more updates, and as always, let’s prioritize our health—mind, body, and soul.

Until next time, take care of yourself and stay well!

Warmly,

Brittany M. Edwards

A Must Share – 21 Ways to Nourish Your Mind & Body

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Health & Wellness

Good Morning!

Ever wonder why there are so many ways to take of not only your body, but your mind and soul/spirit too? Well I found something that pretty much lays everything out there for you in a nutshell.  These findings in the photo shared are actually what motivated me to want to share the information I’m learning. I myself, have already begun to follow some of the suggested ways mentioned in the photo below. I struggle with inflammation, insomnia, depression and anxiety and also finding out what would help me combat these ailments and still lead a healthy and productive life.

Now as always, the information given is just a suggestion (or a stepping stone). However, I encourage you to try incorporating some of these soulful ways into your life and routine. They literally make a world of difference. Let me know how it goes.

 

Learn how to manage stress!:

Anxiety Challenge

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Health & Wellness, Mental Health

I found this cool 21-day challenge to help with anxiety. I’m excited to try it and make a difference in my life. I’m definitely going to keep track of this!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stress & It’s Problems

by Brittany M. Edwards, posted in Health & Wellness, Mental Health

Stress

This lovely 6 letter word is the cause of so many health problems today. It is also one of the toughest things to alleviate; even dealing with stressful situations can be difficult. There’s no way to completely get rid of stress; however, you can learn to cope.

So what is stress?

Stress is your body’s way of responding to any kind of demand or threat.

The thing is stress can be good and bad for us. Certain types of stress can help us while other types can land us in the hospital with heart attacks, strokes, and mental breakdowns. Stress can literally kill you. That’s why it’s important that we try our best to handle our stressors in a healthy manner.

Firstly, it’s imperative to know what your stressors are. Some are very common:

  • Work/Career
  • School
  • Kids
  • Money

These are just to name a few. You name it, it can be a stressor. The most common way to keep your stress levels low is to make sure you exercise and eat properly. There are, however, more ways to keep your stress levels in a safe range. Personally I like to go for walks around my neighborhood. I find hidden gems that I didn’t even notice always driving around and it actually lifts my mood.

I’m a person that gets bored doing the same things pretty easily. So there are a few other ways I like to cope with stress:

  • Coloring/Painting
  • Meditation
  • Deep breathing
  • Sports & recreation
  • Reading books
  • Journaling
  • Have a good cry

These are just a few things that help me deal with my stressors. I will tell you this, nothing substitutes for being under the care of doctors whose job it is to help us. I didn’t always think this at first; however, therapy is definitely something that can’t be substituted.