An alternative way to do simple mindfulness (Part 2)
Following on from part 1, I want to introduce you to more ways to do simple mindfulness.
1. Tuning into sounds
The hum of a gan, tickeing of a cloack, the round of rain on the window, voices outside the room. Realing tuning in ot hte volume, pitch and noticing if there’s a rthythmic quality to the sound.
2. Experimenting with taste
Using a small pleasant tasting boiled sweet, chocolate melting int he mouth or taking a few sips of water. Noticing the flavour, physical sensations and returning the attention when it wanders.
3. Smell
Simply light a scented candle where your like the smell or inhale the sent of your favourite essential oil by placing a drop on a tissue.
4. Hold an object in your hands
A pebble, wooden bead pen, cup etc any everyday object. Focus your attention in to notice the temperature, the texture (roughness/smoothness), the shape and how it feels. Experiment with your eyes start with open and then notice the difference if you close your eyes.
Remember mindfulness is about training the mind, so you don’t need to use breath as your anchor be creative, be kind to yourself and start simple with 30 seconds and build up the time slowly and gradually – its a practice not a race!
Related Posts

The low down on natural sugars – part 2, thumbs down list
There are lots of "natural" sugars, and as I said before how do you know the ones to avoid? Here is my guide to the ones I try to avoid and why. Evaporated Cane Juice The new kid on the block of "natural" sugars. It is a sugar syrup from partially refined sugar which is very similar to ordinary sugar. The FDA (US Food and Drug Administration) has warned of mislabelling with this product. Fructose This no longer has the goodness and fibre of fruit. Unlike sucrose and glucose it won't spike your insulin levels, but it will cause weight gain around the middle. It also interferes with the production of hormones related to hunger and satiety (feeling full) and hence increases appetite. On top of this it gets converted to unhealthy fats e.g. LDL ("bad" cholesterol) and triglycerides. Remember fructose is fine when naturally occuring withing fruit but I recommend avoiding it when its a white powder added to food. Agave This is essentially up to 90% refined fructose (see above). There is no way of distinguishing between commercially and traditionally produced produced products. Molasses This has the least amount of sugar and the highest level of vitamins and minerals. Half its sugar content is fructose and glucose in equal amounts while the other half is sucrose. So it will spike your insulin levels which causes the body to create fat. It may contain high levels of pesticides and other chemicals use in the processing. Xylitol Sold as a white powder considered natural as it occurs in plants but needs a lot of refining. Low in calories, it doesn't spike insulin levels so useful for diabetics. It is on my avoid list because it requires a lot of processing to produce and because it ferments in the gut causing diarrhoea and bloating. Sorbitol Used in foods for diabetics at it triggers little or no insulin production. I would avoid it as it is heavily processed as it is hard on the digestive system just like Xylitol. Honey A simple sugar up to 40% glucose and fructose so it affects your blood sugar levels very quickly. If you must use it, I mix it with lemon and ginger when I have a sore throat, cold or flu then by organic and I perfer manuka for its healing properties. References Natural Alternatives to Sugar by Dr M Glenville (Lifestyle Press 2016)

How can Sports Massage help Runners?
I may be biased but I believe sports massage should be part of every runner's training program. Sports massage offers runners three benefits
- Performance enhancement
- Injury Prevention
- Injury Rehabilitation
- Back and shoulder problems
- ITB syndrome
- Shin splints
- Achilles problems
- Plantar fasciitis

How to boost your Vitamin D levels?
Vitamin D is a steroid hormone as the body can manufacture it (via exposure to UVB radiation from sunlight) as well as absorb it from food. So in the dark winter months when safe sun exposure is impossible without going on holiday, your can become depleted in Vitamin D. (see signs). So I want to explain how can you boost your vitamin D levels? Probably the simplest way it to take a vitamin D supplement, I would recommend D3 as this is the most natural form of vitamin D. In addition vitamin D is found in the following foods.
- Sardines
- Wild caught Alaskan salmon
- Egg yolks
- Cheese
- Beef livers
- Butter
- Breakfast cereals fortified with vitamin D
- Yoghurt fortified with vitamin D

