Many Filipino women carry invisible weights—family responsibilities, work deadlines, financial pressures, and the constant need to show strength. Balancing these roles can feel overwhelming, which is why it’s important to take care of your mental health.
Mindfulness and meditation offer a simple yet powerful way to support your well-being. These practices teach you to pause, breathe, and reconnect with yourself in a world that rarely slows down.
Mindfulness means being fully present in the moment, aware of your thoughts, emotions, and surroundings without judgment. Meditation is the practice of focusing your mind to achieve a sense of calm and clarity. These two come together in mindfulness meditation.
Here is a simple guide to get you started. All you need is five minutes a day.
1. Find Your Quiet Corner
Choose a spot where you can sit comfortably and be free from distractions. It could be a small corner of your room, a chair by the window, or even a shaded area in your garden.
Filipino households can be lively, so let your family know you’re taking a few quiet minutes for yourself.
2. Set an Intention
Before beginning, remind yourself why you are doing this or what you want to achieve. It could be to find calm, improve focus, or simply take a break. Setting an intention helps align your energy and gives your practice purpose.
3. Focus on Your Breath
Close your eyes and take slow, deep breaths. Feel the air entering through your nose and leaving through your mouth. When your thoughts wander—maybe to your to-do list or household chores—gently guide your attention back to your breathing. This simple act of noticing helps train your mind to stay present.
4. Notice Your Thoughts and Feelings
As you breathe, thoughts may come and go. Instead of pushing them away, imagine them like waves passing through the shore. Observe each one without judgment, and, once again, guide them back to your breathing.
Filipino women are often taught to be strong and composed, but allowing yourself to simply feel, without labeling emotions as good or bad, builds inner peace and self-acceptance.
5. Return to the Moment
After a few minutes, take one last deep breath and slowly open your eyes. Notice how your body feels. Do you feel lighter? Do you feel ever-so-slightly more relaxed? Perhaps the session energized you to face the day ahead?
The more consistently you practice, the easier it becomes to bring this sense of calm into your daily life, whether you’re managing deadlines or helping your family.
6. Practice Gratitude
Before ending your session, think of one thing you are grateful for—a quiet morning, your family’s laughter, your health. Gratitude shifts your focus toward abundance, helping you carry positivity throughout the day.
A Calm Mind is a Strong Foundation
Taking care of your mental well-being strengthens every part of your life. A calm mind helps you make better decisions, connect deeply with others, and respond to challenges with grace.
InLife Sheroes is a community of Filipino women offering wellness and financial education programs to support you in living a well-rounded life. Let’s nurture our minds, bodies, and spirits one mindful breath at a time.