Today's world is complete chaos, and it's easy to get caught up in the stress of daily life completely forgetting that a happier you is a happier world. Practising mindfulness can help you calm the Fudge down, achieve that ever illusive inner peace and reduce stress and anxiety.
Pretty nifty right?
In this blog post, we'll be exploring some of the benefits of mindfulness and how colouring sheets and crystal healing can be effective methods for achieving mindfulness. Why colouring and crystals? Well because that’s my area of expertise of course! As a chronic intense doodler and cuddler of crystals, I personally can definitely testify to their magical calming effects as mindfulness tools!
So first let's talk about what the heck Mindfulness is!
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the current moment, without judgment or distraction. It involves paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations, and accepting them without trying to change or control them. Mindfulness is the precursor to meditation! I know, fancy! And very very good for you!
Please note the part about no judgement! In a world designed to keep us judging ourselves and consuming just please, give yourself grace and put all that to the wayside, you'll thank me later!
What are some of the benefits of Mindfulness?
- Reducing stress and anxiety
- Improving sleep quality
- Boosting mood and well-being
- Enhancing focus and concentration
- Increasing self-awareness and self-compassion
- Building confidence and creativity
Is it not completely wild that taking just a few minutes, preferably 15 or more, every day can help you achieve all this?
What Methods of Mindfulness can you use? Here are a few:
- Meditation
- Time in nature - check out Donna for mindfulness in nature! @happyhealthyoutdoors
- Yoga
- Crochet/knitting
- Breathing exercises - Rob at Urban Healer specialises in breath work! Get over to his page to find out more! (He has an amazing freebie with breathing exercises)
- Journaling - Heather is amazing at giving journal prompts! You can find her here @heather.spirituallifecoach
- Colouring sheets
- Crystal healing
There are so many more! Do you do something in your day that you didn’t even realise was mindfulness? When I’m in flow my jewellery-making is absolutely a wonderful form of mindfulness! (When the toddler, cat and my wonderful partner are around maybe not so much hehe)
I’m going to focus on just two of these options though because well, they're what I can offer you!
Colouring Sheets for Mindfulness:
Did you notice that massive boom in Adult Colouring Books? I managed a bookshop at the time so it kind of consumed my life a little for a while and I LOVED IT! It felt like a revolution in helping adults get some frikkin calm in their lives without it costing a bomb and giving them a sense of achievement!! I tried to colour a few in but I actually prefer to create them and that’s my version of this modality of mindfulness!
Colouring sheets can be an effective method of mindfulness because they help you focus your attention on the present moment! Giving your poor tired worn-out brain a break from the constant stimulation of technology and screens and everyday life expectations. Especially if you're trying to colour in the lines, make sure you practice this because then you really do have to focus! There is something quite primal about the feeling of a colouring pencil on paper and using pencils, for me definitely feels more effective. Perhaps it's that slight feeling of resistance? What do you think? Colouring also helps with brain functions, but that's a whole other subject.
Colouring can also be a form of self-expression and creativity! Which can be such an incredible way to positively boost your mood and well-being. There is something quite magical about taking something from black and white to bursting with colour! The sense of pride is incredible, why? Because it releases serotonin! Which is a chemical in your brain and body that literally boosts your confidence!!!
If you fancy a go at some colouring check out my selection of hand drawn colouring pages for mindfulness and if you need some levity with it, my sweary colouring sheets will be perfect for you! Choose between “Gentle Sweary” and “Offensive Sweary” depending on just how stressful your day has been hehe. And if swearing isn't your bag check out the Positive Pages version with positive affirmations! And if what you're looking for is a real challenge, check out these intricate hard colouring pages!
And as for tools, I strongly suggest good colouring pencils. Cheap ones just don't cut it and could impede your experience! Invest in yourself!Crystal Healing for Mindfulness:
My second speciality love! Crystal healing! This involves using crystals to balance and align the body's energy centres, known as chakras. But don’t worry, you don't need to know what these are to reap the benefits of cuddling a crystal! These Earth jewels are going to help you without judgement. (I am working on a super fabulous “WTF are chakras” course for those of you who are curious but really CBA with the overwhelmingness of the spiritual world!) Make sure you sign up for my emails for your “Beginner's Guide to Crystals” and to stay in the know for when the course comes out!
Each crystal has unique properties and benefits. They can be used for different purposes, such as promoting relaxation, boosting energy, enhancing creativity and sooo much more! Incorporating crystals into your mindfulness practice can help you achieve a deeper sense of relaxation and inner peace and can help focus your mind with their natural vibrations balancing your aura as you focus.
You can utilise them by simply having them on the table as you colour, combining the two modalities for maximum mindfulness! You’ll be zen AF. hah!
Maybe wear some crystal jewellery, this is a fantastic way to keep something with you that you can “touch base with” when you’re out and about and need to access that calm feeling! Wear it whilst doing more intense focused mindfulness and it’ll help you achieve mindfulness on the go!
My mindfulness fidget jewellery is designed especially for this with crystal collections curated for different needs.
Carry a tumble stone or raw crystal in your pocket! Holding it in your hand for 30 seconds, a minute, or longer! Focusing on the feel of it in your hand, this focus on touch will bring your mind into that mindfulness space! Check out my Crystal Cavern, see if something speaks to you!
These are a few of my favourite crystals for mindfulness:
What crystal do you think would be great for your mindfulness practice?
Mindfulness can be a transformative, powerful tool for reducing your stress, achieving inner peace and growing your confidence! With so many modalities available there’s no reason not to try right? Whether your thing is meditation, yoga, colouring sheets, or crystal healing, there is something for you. By working mindfulness magic into your daily routine, you can improve your overall well-being and live a more balanced and peaceful life. By habit-stacking mindfulness, you’ll be doing it without even realising it in no time! Like anything worth doing, it's a steady journey! Start small and build it up!
Remember to sign up for my emails for your free “Beginner's Guide to Crystals”, an exclusive 10% discount code each month and to make sure you never miss a thing!!
Much love and sparkles, Annie xox