Whole health: what is mindfulness? | va madison health care | veterans affairs

If you have ever thought something like, “I couldn’t practice mindfulness, my mind doesn’t stop racing!” You are not alone, and you can practice mindfulness. It’s all about coming into the

present moment, whatever is happening, and learning how you can practice this technique. Does a difficult day ever have you feeling like you may lose your senses? It’s one of those days, you

have appointments at the VA, you’re planning to stop at the grocery store to pick up some items for dinner, there are a few other errands on your list, you had to squeeze in that oil change

so it doesn’t get put off, unexpected road construction even further crunches your time.   It was hard to find a parking spot earlier and now on the way towards home it feels like all the

other cars are intentionally in your way.  The grocery store is out of the item you most needed for your meal. If anything else can go wrong… STOP. Here is where Whole Health tools are

proven to help.  While you’re standing in that long self-checkout line wondering where the cashiers are to open more registers, take a deep breath and let’s decide to make this moment a

relaxing one with mindfulness.  What are the SOUNDS going on?  You may notice beeping of scanners, the bustling of other human feet, children exclaiming to their parent to look at the

fascinating new item they’ve discovered, rustling of plastic bags, paper bags. You SMELL the bakery section nearby, someone just passed by you with some fresh cut roses, the tomatoes in your

cart smell fresh.  LOOK at all the activity and motion going on while you’re standing still.  All of these other people here for a common purpose of eating a meal or snack for themselves or

another. Look at how full the carts are around you. Imagine the diets of those around you looking at the items in their carts.  What do you FEEL?  It might be an emotion, the stability of

your feet on the concrete floor, the feel of the smoothness of the cart handle, the softness of your shirt or texture of your wallet or purse.  Looking at the items in your cart for dinner,

imagine how amazing this is going to TASTE!  Before you know it, the lane ahead of you is available and you’re able to check out.  The same amount of time has passed as would have if you

chose to do the opposite and allowed yourself to continue in the chaotic stress of this busy day.  You just chose peace and calm over letting this common scenario stress you out further. 

You might actually feel relief after using that moment to zoom in on your senses.  This is just one example of a tool you have the opportunity to learn working with your Whole Health coach.

  Ask your provider to connect you to your Women’s Health health coach today to explore the many tools, techniques, and ideas to fall into a new beautiful and joyful Autumn season. For more

information about the Madison VA Hospital, visit www.madison.va.gov www.facebook.com/MadisonVAHospital and subscribe to our newsletters.