Happy Living Tip 3: One Sip Awareness

Are you busy? I sure am. Do the days rush past, giving you hardly any time to actually realise what is happening? No worries you are not alone. Many of us are in the same boat and to be honest it’s not new either. So it’s not surpising that there is a well known trick to make you less stressed and more at peace with yourself and your busy day. This trick doesn’t take any extra time after you practise it a few times. It’s really simple. By focusing on something small, in this case taking a sip of water from a glass, you bring awareness to what you are actually doing right that moment. By doing this your body calms down and you become less stressed. It also works on your mind. By focusing completely on this one action there is no room for anything else. So for one sip you mind is quite. And you have the choice of doing it as often as you like. One sip or ten. Whatever you feel you need.


Get a glass of water

One Sip Awareness

All you need is a glass of water (or another non-alcoholic drink)

Be ready to grab your glass and take a sip, here we go:
Reach for the glass and look at your hand reaching for the glass
See your fingers wrapping around the glass
How does it feels to your touch?
Pick up the glass
What is the weight like and can you feel your muscles respond?
Bring the glass towards your lips
Is there a shift in sensation in your mouth as you are about to drink?
Does it feel dry or is there more salavating now that you know you are about to take a sip?
Place the glass on your lips and sip
How does the drink feel? Warm, cold, cool, smooth, textured?
Taste the liquid in you mouth and be aware of the sensations
Swallow and feel the throat constrict
Can you feel it go down?
Return the attention back to your mouth
Is it the same?
Are you still thristy?
Do you want to drink more?
If so how do you know? How does your body tell you?

Finish your drink in peace. Bring awareness to however many sips you feel comfortable with. Even if that means only once every drink or even twice a day. There is no wrong or right.

The idea of drink awareness is well known to help become more in tune with youself and your surroundings. Oprah has an audio version of this excersise on her website connected to her 'A New Earth' Class. It's free and very helpfull! Please make sure to check it out.