I get regular mindfulness messages, reminders and emails.
One this week though really made me think.
It asked the question: Are you taking better care of your phone than your mind?
The answer, for most of us, is probably yes.
We charge our phones on a daily basis – topping it up so it’s ready to function as and when we need it.
But if you consider how often you give yourself a break to recharge, the answer is probably I don’t have time, or I’m too busy.
We rarely treat our minds with such care, and yet it can take as little as five minutes.
Take a break and drink your tea or coffee more mindfully – away from your phone or laptop.
Step outside and take a few deep breaths.
Listen to a short meditation, or do a breathwork practice such as box breathing.
Go for a short walk and pay attention to what you see, hear and feel.
Tomorrow (October 10) is World Mental Health Day, and this year the focus is on mental health at work.
According to the website poor mental health can lead to decreased performance, absence from work, and increased staff turnover.
It goes on to say depression and anxiety alone result in the loss of approximately 12 billion workdays each year.
That’s huge.
It suggests employers should support workers with mental health conditions, for example by organising regular supportive meetings and scheduling frequent breaks.
As indivduals it encourages us to learn techniques to manage stress and stay mindful of changes in our mental health.
I know of one company that stops at 3pm every afternoon for ten minutes of meditation.
I also know a lot of workplaces where that just wouldn’t work.
But it is worth thinking about.
Your mind is a lot more important than your phone (honestly!)
So when you next plug your phone in to recharge – take some time for yourself to do the same.
Ann🙏