I began my journey yesterday by first completing the mindfulness test available on the UC Berkeley Greater Good website. The results were an average 56/100 and based on these results, some suggestions for how I could improve my mindfulness. These suggestions included body scan, sitting meditation, hatha yoga practice and radon meditation (which I’m certainly not doing as I can’t stand eating raisins). I will complete this test again on the final day of this three week program and compare these results.
The second time I tasked myself with was mindful walking. On my way back to central station from UNI, I walked slower, took notice of my surrounding, the sounds, the smells, the feelings, how these things made me feel. I noticed things I hadn’t before, the trees on the goods line almost fully bare of leaves, just beginning to flower, the fairy lights wrapped around the trees in Henry Dean plaza, the feeling of the cool air on my face, the sounds of someone’s squeaky shoes somewhere in the distance. Overall this was a very calming and relaxing experience.
Finally, I completed a body scan right before going to sleep. To do so I used the body scan guided meditation available on the Smiling Mind app. As someone with rather high anxiety, particularly at night, I’ve planned to complete each day with this practice. I didn’t notice any immediate effect from doing this aside feeling more relaxed. I’m hoping over time I can see more improvements, stay posted for this.
Alexandra Hawes 