Feel the Moment: Harnessing the power of Texture for Deeper Mindfulness

As previously mentioned in a few of our other articles, mindfulness has been proven to be a stress reliever. This article will discuss how to use a texture to engage your senses and practice mindfulness. Please read on to learn more:

Select a textured object

First you will need to select a textured object. As you go about selecting your object, please be mindful of the fact that different textures often have the ability to stimulate different emotional and mood related responses. An object that can be manipulated by and fit in one hand is ideal.

Find a quiet place in your home

Once you have located your object, plan to find a quiet/comfortable area in your home to practice our texture mediated mindfulness technique.  

Get comfortable

Get comfortable. It is very important that once you find a quiet area in which you are comfortable. Consider sitting in an upright position on the floor, with legs crossed. You should plan to spend at least several minutes in your selected location and in the position that you have chosen.

Engage with your textured object

Once you are ready, you will start the texture mediated mindfulness activity by closing your eyes. With your eyes closed, and the textured object in one hand, begin to slowly breathe in and breathe out. Initially start by focusing only on your breaths. Once you have counted at least 4 cycles of breaths in and breaths out, start to move the object in your hand. Gently shift your thoughts away from your breathing, and as you move the object in your hand notice your object’s qualities. Feel the shape of the object. Feel the texture of the object. Feel how warm or how cold, how soft or how hard the object is. 

Reflect on the experience

Once you have spent several minutes with your object, gently return your thoughts back to your breathing. Slowly breathe in and breathe out, for a total of 4 times. Open your eyes, and reflect on your experience.