Mindful Living 101

Why is a dental office always blogging about total health and wellness? Because there is so much more to authentic smiles than just teeth. We believe completely in the mind-smile-body-spirit connection and are always looking for ways to strengthen and improve those bonds. Dr. Lewis Yu had been on this journey toward total wellness himself and loves to share, not only the story of his own journey, but also tips and suggestion on ways to incorporate everything from meditation, to diet and exercise, into your daily life.

One of the easiest and most important ways to live more fully is by focusing on positive thoughts and actions. We call it mindful living, and it has helped us reach a higher state of joy, acceptance, and health. These are healthy coping skills that can help you get through even the roughest patch.

How to Incorporate Mindful Living Into Daily Habits

1. Be present in the moment

As Buddhist Monk Thich Nhat Hanh says “Mindfulness is the energy that helps us recognize the conditions of happiness that are already present in our lives. You don’t have to wait ten years to experience this happiness. It is present in every moment of your daily life…when you breathe in, and you are aware of your in-breath, you touch the miracle of being alive. That is why mindfulness is a source of happiness and joy.

2. Focus on your breath

This allows a number of things to happen, including:

• Keeping you in the moment
• Release of stress and lowering of anxiety
• Lower blood pressure
• Stimulate brain growth
• Helps connect your mind and body

3. Consider your thought patterns

Proverbs 4:23 says “Carefully guard your thoughts because they are the source of true life.” We think that means facing every day with acceptance and love instead of judgement and worry. Worry and stress are bad for the body and soul, and have been shown to lead to everything from strokes and heart attacks to low cortisol levels and obesity.

4. Open your heart to genuine love

Instead of worry, open yourself to love. The first place to practice love is for yourself. Self love is a powerful healing tool. And once you learn to truly love yourself, you will be better able to share authentic love with others.  

This also involves:

• Forgiving the past
• Letting go of expectations
• Releasing judgement
• Thinking before reacting

The Overall Benefits of Mindful Living

• Relieves anxiety and reduces stress
• Improves sleep
• Helps reduce chronic pain
• Develops gratitude
• Helps heal the soul
• Improves focus
• Increases creativity
• Aids in clear communication
• Reduces burnout
• And generally makes you smile more.

That’s what we are all about!

For more suggestions on mindful living, call All About Smiles in Delaware at 302-239-1641.