Feel Your Way to Calm: The Art of Texture-Based Mindfulness

According to Greater Good magazine mindfulness can be defined as “maintaining  [a] moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens.”

Many studies have been conducted showing the many benefits of mindfulness, including the ability to reduce chronic stress (1), reduce anxiety/depression and alleviate rumination (2). Rumination is defined as cycling through the same thoughts over and over without resolution. Ruminition typically focuses on negative thoughts, can be emotionally distressing, and does not typically lead to constructive insights or solutions. The practice of mindfulness can offer a solution. Traditionally the act of mindfulness, also called mindful meditation, starts with the individual finding a comfortable location to practice the technique. Afterwards the individual follows the sensation of their breath as it  moves in and out. The individual takes notice of their wandering mind, gently returning their thoughts to their in and out breathing, without judgment (3).

Using texture during mindful meditation can be a unique way to also practice mindfulness. Mindful meditation by using tactile texture can be performed by focusing on a particular texture, considering how it feels against the skin, its temperature, and how the object changes as you manipulate it during your mindful meditation sessions. 

Whether performing the traditional method of mindfulness or incorporating mindful touch within your sessions, the many benefits of either can be profound.

How do you feel about the practice of mindfulness? How do you feel about the idea of mindful touch?

1).  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0272735815300623

2).  https://www.apa.org/pubs/journals/features/pst-48-2-198.pdf

3).  https://www.mindful.org/how-to-practice-mindfulness/