#5 - Mindfulness Practice - How Paying Attention Leads To Body Kindness

Today we’re tuned in and fully present to talk to you about mindfulness. To help you along in my #MindfulMarch challenge, we’ll explain what mindfulness is, how super simple it is to get started, and why it’s a brilliant practice to get you on the road to Body Kindness.

Here’s what we talked about...

• What is mindfulness? It is awareness. It’s about being present in the here and now. Studies have shown we spend only about 5% of our time in the present.
• I explained that the core of Body Kindness is about trust and a commitment to self awareness - a mindfulness-based practice. This means feeling all our feelings and making room for them all without judgement.
• Starting a mindfulness practice is simple - you just need to start noticing things in the present moment. Ask yourself one simple question: what the heck is going on?
• Check out my Grow Better Health Through Mindfulness post for some great and easy-to-do ideas for being more mindful - http://bit.ly/1QwCIJW
• We revisited the feeling of numbness that Bernie described in our Emotional Eating episode. I suggested this was a natural and perfectly understandable reaction to his post-Biggest Loser quest for diet and fitness perfection. I helped him to see the numbness in a new light as it actually played a helpful role to protect him from overdoing things.
• I explained how mindfulness is the starting point for long-term behavior change. As you notice things without judgement, you can ask yourself questions like - what am I doing? How do I feel about this? How is this impacting what I care about? It can remind you of the benefits of positive action.
• Mindful.org is one of my favourite resources for mindfulness information and inspiration. Here’s two great articles to check out:
  • Getting Started with Mindfulness Meditation - http://bit.ly/1QwDeYr
  • Why daily practice matters - http://bit.ly/1QwDkyZ
• I mentioned a New York Times article about a mindfulness study one conducted with a group of unemployed people that showed just three days of mindfulness and meditation practice showed changed brain activity - http://nyti.ms/1oYsfAj
• I announced the latest title for the Body Kindness Book Club: The Upside of Stress by Dr Kelly McGonigal. Rather than something to be stressed about it, stress can help you grow stronger - http://amzn.to/1oYscVh
• We had a spirited discussion about 70s supermodel Cheryl Teigs and her recent criticisms of Ashley Graham’s appearance on the cover of Sports Illustrated:
  • Cheryl Teigs Body Bashes Ashley Graham (Model v. Model) - http://on.fb.me/1QwD6ba
  • Ashley Graham on Being Healthy at Any Size - http://bit.ly/1QwD7vQ
  • Ashley Graham's 5 Rules for Loving Your Body - http://bit.ly/1QwD8zM
• I mentioned The Illusionists, a documentary about the globalization for beauty standards. As long as they’re making us feel bad and not good enough, they’ll always have a market - http://theillusionists.org/
• Visit bodykindnessbook.com for full show notes

---

You can subscribe to Body Kindness on iTunes and Stitcher. Enjoy the show? Please rate it on iTunes! - http://getpodcast.reviews/id/1073275062

Are you ready for Body Kindness? Get started today with my free e-course and on-demand digital training. Learn more - http://bit.ly/2k23nbT

The New York Times Book Review calls Body Kindness “simple and true”. Publisher’s Weekly says it’s “a rousing guide to better health.” http://bit.ly/2k228t9

Watch my videos about why we need Body Kindness on YouTube. https://youtu.be/W7rATQpv5y8?list=PLQPvfnaYpPCUT9MOwHByVwN1f-bL2rn1V

Did you enjoy the podcast? Please subscribe and rate it. Have a show idea or guest recommendation (even yourself!) E-mail podcast@bodykindnessbook.com to get in touch.

Nothing in this podcast is meant to provide medical diagnosis, treatment, cure, or prevent any disease or condition. Individuals should consult a qualified healthcare provider for medical advice and answers to personal health questions.