Heart Advice

5 WAYS TO INCORPORATE MINDFULNESS INTO YOUR EVERYDAY LIFE

''Now that our lives are a freakshow of blinking apps, notifications and come-hither headlines, it’s no wonder psychologists are urging us to spend more time in the moment.

Ever since Jon Kabat-Zinn proved that aspects of Buddhist meditation could be used to manage chronic pain and stress, it was only a matter of time before everyone who couldn’t afford eight weeks of therapy demanded a piece of the happiness pie.

Scientifically proven to benefit everything from relationships to learning difficulties and depression (especially when teamed with cognitive behavioural therapy), mindfulness has finally gone mainstream: with colouring-in books, podcasts and apps all promising a more mindful world.

And because not all of us have clinical psychologists in the family to guide us through the crueller months (thanks, Mum), it’s about time you realised why your Christmas stocking last year was filled with coloured pencils.

We spoke with Melbourne-based psychologist Amy Williams about why – and how – to incorporate mindful behaviour into your daily life...''

by Megan Anderson