By Kate Bennett, PsyD
[Thrive into the Weekend: A blog series designed to empower athletes to thrive in life and sport by encouraging intentional and mindful actions]
Mindfulness appears to be the buzz word this week. I read about it daily whether the author wrote about the Super Bowl, the Olympics, business, or sport psychology. Given the trending of mindfulness across disciplines and events, it seems natural to focus on intentionally practicing the mental skill this weekend.
On Monday, I encouraged you to practice mindfulness for a few minutes by attending to internal or external stimuli. Build on that foundation this weekend. Choose an activity to mindfully attend to. For example, most people are on autopilot when they wash dishes. Rather than replay the past or plan for the future during a routine activity, ground yourself in the moment and consciously attend to the activity itself. What does the dish soap smell like? Is the water warm or cool? Do you notice tension in your body as you stand by the sink? If dishes are not a regular part of your day, select another activity such as brushing your teeth, taking a shower, or eating breakfast. As you master mindfulness during one activity, select another activity to attend to. Remember, mindfulness is a non-judgmental practice. If you notice your mind wandering, simply bring it back to the present moment. There is no good or bad, right or wrong. Thrive into the weekend by reconnecting with a routine activity.
