Can washing your hands relieve arthritis pain and increase your
energy? Yes – if you take a mindful approach to the mundane
task.  Mindfulness is about bringing the body into harmony with
action and the environment through awareness, says Donald
Altman, an Oregon psychotherapist, Portland State University
professor and former Buddhist monk.  “With mindfulness we are
not thinking ahead – we are focused on what is happening now,”
Altman says. And mindful attention can prevent mistakes, fight
fatigue and ease the stress that exacerbates pain by helping us
to identify and release limiting beliefs and judgments.  To
become more mindful Altman recommends simple approaches to
everyday tasks:  Go for a drive. Before you leave, sit quietly
for 10 seconds. Feel the metal of the key. Listen to the engine.
What do you see? Be aware of the vibration between you, the car,
and the road as you travel.  Wash your hands. Declare your
intention: “I’m going to wash my hands.” Then get quiet. Notice
your posture. Turn on the fauc