When you hear the term “mindfulness” what thoughts come into your mind?
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a highly underrated form of self-care. In fact, several studies have shown positive results in brain function, sleep, motivation, focus, and much more when we include mindfulness in our routines. Mindfulness can be used to increase conscious awareness in many activities and experiences like brushing your teeth, eating or exercising intentionally, sitting with unpleasant feelings, and paying attention to how you interact with others.
Mindfulness is defined by our natural ability to be completely aware of all that is happening around us, and all that we are experiencing, in the present moment. Simply put, mindfulness is conscious awareness. And although fully aware, we can choose to narrow our focus to one thing at a time. For example, you might choose to concentrate on your breathing, your heartbeat, or your thoughts in the present moment.
Common misconceptions about mindfulness
Although it’s a well-known term, there are a lot of misconceptions associated with the word mindfulness. Often the first things people think of when they hear the word are meditation, yoga, and crystals. While mindfulness can be supported by incorporating those tools that’s not its sole purpose. I’ve also heard people refer to mindfulness as a religion, an unholy practice, just a Buddhist practice, just meditation by a different name, and a way to get rid of thoughts and experiences. Mindfulness is none of the above. It’s simply a practice that allows people to create moments of greater awareness and increase inner peace.
What I’ve learned from mindfulness
I’ve incorporated some form of mindfulness in my routine on and off for the last several years and here are 10 things I learned from my practice:
- How to become more patient and resilient by observing what is happening within and around me
- How to allow my thoughts and feelings to come and go like waves and not dwell on them
- How to neither feel anxious about the future nor upset about the past when I am in the present moment
- How to be more empathetic, considerate, and compassionate with others by listening more attentively
- How to become more conscious of my decisions by slowing down
- How to pause and assess my needs before responding to others
- How to observe my behavior and calculate a healthy response to unpleasant experiences
- How to focus more on the good things in life by thinking of the things for which I’m grateful
- How to become grounded when I feel overstimulated by my thoughts or my environment
- How to regulate and reduce symptoms of anxiety by being aware of my breath
No matter where you are or what you are doing, you can practice mindfulness. All it requires of you is to slow down and observe and you will bring yourself into the present moment. A simple exercise to help you slow down is using at least 4 of your 5 senses to notice what you are experiencing at this moment. Want to try it now?
Practice
Name out loud or in your mind,
5 things you are seeing in your current space
4 things you are currently touching or resting against
3 sounds you can hear right now
2 things you can smell
Finally, say out loud or think to yourself about 1 thing you are grateful for at this moment.
Interested in how you can learn more mindful ways to create peace in your life? I provide weekly tips and techniques for practicing mindfulness. You can sign up for my ‘Mindful Moments’ newsletter for free by scrolling to the bottom of this page.
Mindfully,
Jonnique