Stressed? Finding it hard to concentrate?

Many people find it hard to cope with the pressures of modern living. Every day, a quarter of a million people miss work because of stress, with 75 per cent of all illnesses thought to be stress-related. And when times are hard, It can be difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel.

Practising mindfulness can help give you more insight into your emotions, boost your attention and concentration and improve relationships. It's proven to help with stress, anxiety, depression and addictive behavior, and can even have a positive effect on physical problems.

Mikao Usui introduced his students to the concept of Mindfulness at each degree stage of Reiki and it is believed that the 'Precepts', that are Mikao Usui's guidelines for living, show this.

Mindfulness is really focusing on that moment and by doing that we can become more aware of our thoughts and feelings so that instead of being overwhelmed by them, we're better able to manage them. So we are not judging, reflecting or thinking just living for that moment.

Mindfulness is stated in The oxford dictionary's as:

• the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something.
• a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

Although it commonly used as a meditation technique it can work well when carrying out everyday mundane tasks!

Since starting my personal journey with Reiki, and first being introduced to Mindfulness with Reiki 1 (Shoden) I have found it really does help! 

I use it whilst carrying out my daily Reiki energy exercises, meditations as well as times of stress, and even whilst doing the washing up!! it does become easier so that you just do it with out even conciously thinking about it.

Give it a go, you probably do it to a certain extent already:

Have you ever told anyone to "stop and take a breath, don't think about it for a while"? 

Well thats the start, you are advising them to stop worrying about past or future issues and just concentrate on that breath, and in that moment nothing else matters your only paying attention to that breath in that moment. That is mindfulness and it can help people change the way they think, feel and act.

The image below sums it up quite nicely i think!

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

Love and light

Jo xx