Half Speed Mindfulness
I decided to write a mindfulness practice for people who do not like mindfulness. I started researching just that. I came across an article written by Steven Hayes, the developer of Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, about how to get the benefits of mindfulness if you don’t like these practices. He has very simple advice…do whatever you were going to do or whatever you want to do, but do it at half speed.
Now, to be clear, mindfulness does not require any more time than “normal activities.” But, slowing down your speed might help you to notice your experience. When she was in college, my sister took a class on the Alexander Technique. One of her tests in the class was simply to stand up and sitting down slowly, conscious of her posture and her form. So, slowing things down, even mundane, everyday activities, can help us to notice and connect with our experience.
So for practice today, do the next few activities you were planning on doing or choose any activity to do, but do it at half speed. Notice the experience, make any corrections necessary to be effective.
Have a Good Day…
Michele
