Central Coast Home & Lifestyle Autumn 2021

Whether you like to draw, paint, build, or take photographs, your creative side is mindful by its very nature. The practice of mindfulness can encourage you to think about how you are feeling generally and realising that it is important to be in the present moment, and accept things for just the way they are. Sometimes, that might include feelings of joy, but you don’t want to try to force happy thoughts or resist any particular emotional response. Sometimes, you just need to accept unpleasant emotions as a part of the moment. Accept disappointment, sadness, anger, jealousy, etc. as what they are and allow yourself to feel them. You, of course, want to be mindful of how you react to the feelings but it is healthy to acknowledge them for what they are and to think about your feelings. Bring yourself into the present moment by asking yourself, ‘What is going on with me at the moment?’ You can label your thoughts and feelings — for example, ‘that’s an anxious feeling’ — and let them go. You may start to feel more of an observer instead of someone reacting to thoughts and feelings. When you’re having a meal, focus on your eating. Don’t read or watch TV at the same time. Pay attention to how the food looks, smells and tastes. You may find you enjoy your food more, and stop eating when you’re full instead of automatically finishing what’s on your plate.

Being enhance relationships. In a busy life, you may get distracted during interactions with close friends and family and take them for granted. But if you take stock of the importance of these relationships to you, you are likely to give your loved ones more attention. It is easiest to be mindful when we are doing something that we enjoy that requires the attention of the body and mind. For example, playing a musical instrument, surfing, gardening, golf, or cycling. By finding an activity you enjoy, you can spend time completely engaged, which can teach you how to carry that mindfulness into other areas of your life. Spending a little time outdoors is a way to achieve mindfulness, and you don’t need to go too far to get your desired results. All you have to do is take a walk around your neighbourhood. If you have some nice trails, parks, or green spaces, they can make the perfect environment for getting in touch with nature and for connecting with the present moment. Observe what you see on your walk, how the weather feels, what you see, hear, and what you smell! When you are taking a walk , you may find that new and creative ideas come to you more easily. If you have a creative hobby, this can also be a good opportunity to practice mindfulness. Spend some time doing what you enjoy and just be in the moment of creation. mindful may help

Benefits of Mindfulness

So many of us spend our days just running from moment to moment. We are busy, have demands coming from several different areas of life, and simply don’t feel like there is time to stop and unwind. Through mindful living practices, we can find more happiness, joy, and meaning in our lives. That said, being mindful is not as easy as it sounds. It is a habit that you have to develop. Mindfulness is the idea of learning how to be fully present and engaged in the moment, aware of your thoughts and feelings without distraction or judgment. Mindfulness is a way of training yourself to focus your attention in a certain way to calm your mind. It can help you in your day-to-day life, work, relationships and overall wellbeing. Being mindful may allow you to focus on and appreciate what you have instead of taking things for granted. The awareness and feeling of gratitude may help you feel renewed. Without being mindful, you may simply react to negative thoughts and feelings. Practising mindfulness may help you to become more aware of your thoughts and feelings, and manage them in a positive way. Taking control of your thoughts and feelings can help reduce stress and anxiety.

City Market Market operates at our NUE * wground GOSFORD DAY wground * OSFORD am till 1.00pm market.com.au u Mobile: 0427 586 079 (where they race the dogs)

The Central Coast’s premier Farmers Market operates at our new venue Gosford Showground every Sunday 7am - Midday

Showground Road, GOSFORD e: admin@nswfarmersmarket.com.au | m: 0427 586 079 gosfordcityfarmersmarket.com.au