The Grounding Experience of a Daily Cup of Coffee
Some people frown upon the idea of a daily cup of coffee for people who deal with anxiety. It’s true that the caffeine in coffee can intensify pre-existing anxiety symptoms. However, I know most coffee drinkers don’t want to give up their morning brew. In fact, in moderation, a cup of coffee can not only be an energy and happiness booster, but can also function as a daily mindful moment. Using the five senses can help you ground yourself when you feel anxious. And a daily cup of coffee can serve as a ritual each morning as you start your day.
Rituals like making coffee can help us commit to specific moments of the day where we take time to complete a common task. A ritual is a little chunk of time reserved for a specific activity we do each day. Like making coffee, rituals can be a piece of joy, happiness, and relaxation built easily into our day. Use your senses to immerse yourself in the practice of making coffee and the present moment. Here’s how to do it:
The sound of a cup of coffee
Listen closely to all the sounds of making your coffee. You might hear the sound of filling the pot with water, pouring the coffee beans into a grinder and turning it on to grind, pouring the grounds into the coffee maker, switching on the pot, and listening to the drips of coffee into the pot. Pay attention to the smallest of sounds like placing a mug on the counter or pouring your freshly brewed coffee into a cup.
The smell
Strong smells are something you’ll also experience in your daily coffee ritual. Pay attention as you prepare coffee beans or grounds and to the smell of freshly brewed coffee as it’s prepared. When you go to take a sip, take a second to really inhale the smell wafting from your mug and ground yourself in the present moment.
The sight
Focus on what you can see during your coffee making experience as well. This might be watching the water as it fills the reservoir, the brewed coffee drip into the pot, or the visual of milk or creamer as it swirls into the coffee as you prepare your beverage. You might also choose to engage your sight by choosing a fun mug or cup, or enjoying your coffee with a scenic view outside.
The taste of a cup of coffee
Utilizing your sense of taste is probably the most obvious example of using your senses to engage with coffee in the present moment. There are so many different varieties of coffee, as well as ways to prepare it. Focusing on the taste and notes of the coffee can help you focus on the task at hand.
The touch
Lastly, use your sense of touch during your coffee making experience. Feel the shape of your mug or cup, its warmth against your skin once your fresh cup is poured. Understand how the temperature changes as the coffee cools down.
About Samantha Nolan, MA, LPC, ATR- Barnum Counseling
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