Photo Snapshots as Therapy: A Mindfulness Hack?

Photo credit

“Simple and quick mindfulness methods can bring calm into our busy lives. During the pandemic lockdown, many of us dealt with increased anxiety and depression, given the uncertainty surrounding our lives as we had known them and the state of the world. Some COVID-safe coping mechanisms became popular, such as outdoor activities and walks and homebound hobbies such as gardening and baking. As we transitioned back to conventional work schedules and lifestyles, we have tried to maintain some of these practices and revisit the peace they brought us while now being short on time again.

Numerous phone apps now provide brief meditation and mindfulness training with an easy-to-use and time-limited interface. But we can also do even simpler things that don’t require directive training or external guidance. For example, taking snapshots of anything that catch our eyes - scenes of nature, buds blooming, sunlight hitting a retention pond, geese flaring their wings, unusual cloud formations, you name it. It does not have to be earth-shattering or original. Important is to be in the present moment, to be focused on the beauty of something ordinary and every day, something one might not even notice. Other similar practices don’t even have to involve the outdoors or major interruptions of routine. In South Korea, a trend called “hitting mung” has arisen, where cafes are set up with vibrant video visuals or music while one sips a coffee or tea as a form of mini-meditation during the conventional coffee break. This setup is designed to encourage a “mung” state of mind, which roughly translates to a harmonious blankness in thought. The Danish are also known for encouraging a similar café culture tied to the concept of hygge, which roughly translates to coziness. The practice of a simple coffee with a delicious pastry is considered a therapeutic way to cope with dark winters.”

Read the whole article at Psychology Today

#Mindfullness #Rituals #Snapshots

💬 Do you have any daily ritual that brings peace/joy to your day?

Feel free to share any snapshots you made!

Did you like this topic? Then you might also enjoy reading the post “How You Can Live a Hygge Lifestyle”