Using the body scan to get us out of our heads.

What is a Body Scan?
The body scan is a foundational mindfulness practice, and it is one of my go-to favorites. I find it easier to practice than other mindfulness exercises because my body gets more relaxed when I do it, and it gets me out of my head and into my body more quickly.

Why Are We So Stressed?
Perhaps it's the growing demands of the 21st century - using new advanced technology to keep up with everything - it seems that people are busier than ever. With this busyness comes a progression into autopilot syndrome, where we go about our activities not fully in tune with the present moment. This mental mode of being on autopilot - lost in thoughts of the past or the future and habitually distracted - is exhausting and can leave us feeling depleted mentally and physically. Furthermore, research shows that we are in this mindless state about 50% of the time, and while in it, we tend to feel anxious, stressed, unproductive, and even unhappy. (Killings worth and Gilbert, Harvard Study)

How Can the Body Scan Help Bring More Calm and Presence?
The good news is that by practicing the body scan, we cultivate the antidote state to mind wandering and excessive thinking. Chris McKenna, from Mindful Schools, states that when we activate mindfulness, we shift out of cognitive mode, down into the body into the sensory awareness mode and this down-regulates the stress response. It's like shifting the gears of the brain from thinking to sensing mode and this is what allows the body to feel more relaxed and present.

Ready to Get Started?
If you're curious to see how this works, go to the resources section and try out a 5-minute body scan. Notice how your mind and body feel after practicing this exercise. Do you feel more relaxed and present? Do you feel more connected to your breath and body? As you get more comfortable with this practice, you can move to 10 minutes, 20 minutes, and work up to a 30-minute body scan. Contact me if you're interested in doing a one-on-one consultation to learn more techniques like the body scan.