If we are experiencing difficulties within our personal or work life, some strategies can be helpful to practise regularly. These may enable us to overcome some of the suffering we may be going through. Mindfulness can be helpful. If we can focus on our breathing, rather than our thoughts. This may uplift us from our usual “conditioned” pattern of thinking.
For example, we may be subconsciously following our parenting, we can consciously choose our thoughts. We can also choose how to creatively respond to other people more positively. Some people remember mindfulness an awareness of our breath or reflecting on the breath. Similarly, yoga is a form of mindfulness. Adding stretches to our breathing to develop body awareness. Mudra is a type of yoga and mindfulness. Bringing peace or relaxation to our hands.
Further ways of rising above the stress we may face in day-to-day life can be reflecting on past successes and achievements. Having visual affirmations, especially if criticised, can boost our morale. We may choose up to three to ten words about what we like about ourselves. We can also focus on the qualities we hope to cultivate. Some people can think in pictures or video form. We could think about a TV programme we enjoyed and remember seeing those visions of the programme in our mind, or remember positive photographic imagery. Happy thoughts about what we enjoy doing, or who we love to be with, uplift us from the day-to-day humdrum of life.