Niles Family Fitness Center's Blog

Incorporating Mindfulness into Your Routine

By: Niles Family Fitness Center

November 12, 2024, 10:00 am - Categories: Healthy Tips

Mindfulness, often associated with mental well-being, has a powerful impact on physical health and fitness. By being more aware of your feelings in your day-to-day, you can transform your approach to exercise and nutrition, unlocking a more sustainable and effective path to wellness. Mindfulness practices can help you tune into your body’s needs, create healthy patterns, and optimize your physical performance.

Body Scan Meditation
Start this meditation practice in a quiet space where you can be in tune with your body. If you’re surrounded by loud noises, you may find it difficult to focus. The great thing about this practice is that it can be done anywhere – take a minute while you’re sitting at your desk at work, sitting down before bed, or whenever you have some free time. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths – breathe in through your nose and out through your mouth. Pay attention to your toes, your feet, and your legs. Notice any muscle tightness or stiffness that you may feel. Continue this scan as you move up to your stomach, your chest, out to your arms and your fingertips, until you get to your neck and your head. This can be extremely beneficial if you are someone who doesn’t check in with yourself often. Your body may be experiencing stiff muscles or sore joints that are affecting your workouts or everyday life. By incorporating body scans into your routine, you’ll be able to better plan your exercise schedule according to how your body feels.

Mindfulness in Eating
As you incorporate body scanning into your routine, you might consider practicing this after a meal or night out. Tune into how your body feels after eating – did what you ate make you feel better, or are you feeling a bit sluggish and tired? Not only can this practice help you identify your hunger cues, but it can also help signal when you’re full, how your food made you feel, and help you make mindful food choices.

By incorporating mindfulness into your routine, you can change your approach to fitness and wellness. Through body scanning, you can develop a deeper understanding of your physical needs and make informed decisions regarding exercise and nutrition.

REFERENCE: News in Health. “Mindfulness for Your Health.” NIH. June 2021. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2021/06/mindfulness-your-health.