Mindfulness For Dummies, 3rd Edition



Chapter 7

Using Mindfulness for Yourself and Others

IN THIS CHAPTER

Discovering a short mindful exercise you can use anywhere

Finding mindful ways of taking care of yourself

Applying mindfulness in relationships

You probably appreciate the need to look after others. But are you aware of the need to look after yourself as well? You need to eat a balanced diet and exercise regularly for your health and wellbeing. You need to have the right amount of work and rest in your life. And you need to challenge yourself intellectually, to keep your mind healthy. You need to socialise and also save some time just for yourself. Achieving all this perfectly is impossible, but how can you strive to take care of yourself in a light-hearted way, without becoming overly uptight and stressed?

Mindfulness can help you look after both yourself and others. Being aware of your thoughts, emotions and body, as well as the things and people around you, is the starting point. This awareness enables you to become sensitive to your own needs and those of others around you, therefore encouraging you to meet everyone’s needs as far as possible.

A caring, ...