It’s already been a month since school started! Have you started getting back into the swing of things? Or are you still missing those leisurely days off, feeling reluctant to face all the schoolwork in front of you?
Although there are no long vacations in October, that’s no reason to stop taking timely breaks and practicing self-care. Self-care has been frequently discussed in recent years, and it’s often associated with recreational activities or even beauty routines. However, it’s not merely about relying on short-term or one-time methods to make you feel good; rather, it’s a concept that can restore our physical and mental health over the long term and help us better manage stress. And one key aspect of self-care is mindfulness.
Mindfulness refers to the conscious act of focusing on our present-moment experience. We can become aware of our breathing, bodily sensations, emotions, thoughts, and even the activities we’re engaged in. Long-term practice helps us discern our relationship with the present moment and learn to coexist with life’s ups and downs—both the joys and the hardships. We can practice this in our daily lives, starting with simple steps and gradually deepening our practice. At home or during a lunch break, while enjoying milk tea or soda, why don’t we try closing our eyes to fully savor the flavors on our tongue and the soothing sensation of the drink flowing in? When listening to music, let’s feel the rhythm pulsing in our ears and the warmth in our chests as it harmonizes with the melodies.
