Mindfulness is a buzz word right now.
You hear it everywhere and you know it’s good for you, but there’s not much follow up on how to get started or why it’s important.
Essentially, theres a lack of mindfulness around the term mindfulness and we’re just gonna change that right now.
Mindfulness is AMAZING. Studies say it has effects that benefits our health in many different ways, including chronic illness management, anxiety, and even enhanced cognition, just to name a few!
It can help us heal, stabilize, and propel forward into a life we love and it’s simple, effective, and completely free to use.
So why isn’t everyone using it?
Again, there’s a lack of awareness of what mindfulness really is, so let’s start there.
What is mindfulness?
According to dictionary.com, there are two different (but similar) definitions for mindfulness:
“mind·ful·ness — ˈmīn(d)f(ə)lnəs/ — noun
- The quality or state of being conscious or aware of something. “their mindfulness of the wider cinematic tradition”
2. A mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.”
So basically, it’s a conscious decision to bring your attention to the present moment.
And it makes sense that we experience so many benefits from mindfulness because the activities that bring us to the present are what we seek the most…
Think about it. What makes you focus on the present?
For most of us, it’s activities like painting, playing an instrument, going to a festival, dancing, swimming, spending time in nature, heck, even putting on make up!
The things we love to do the most have a direct line to a mindful mind… you just have to be aware that you’re being mindful so you can get the full benefits of it.
If you like the idea but don’t know where to begin, don’t fret — this is the fun part!
Mindfulness comes from training yourself to be present. Meditation is the advanced version of this, but that’s a too much to start.
Pick an activity that you know you have to do daily. Maybe that’s doing the dishes or taking a walk. As you do it, make the intention beforehand to be present as much as possible during the activity. Notice the sights, smells, and sounds around you. Notice how you feel physically.
If your thoughts start to travel to anything else, don’t get mad… this is all practice (and you’re not in competition with anyone else!)
Just bring your attention back to the present. Doing that over and over again (yes, your thoughts will travel A LOT, it’s totally normal in the beginning) will strengthen your control over your brain, lower stress levels, and allow you to experience your life (instead of a perception of your life).
Mindfulness can benefit you in so many different ways and has ZERO negative side effects. You can choose to do it any time, you don’t need to carry anything, and no one can ever take it away from you.
It’s your power, and if you choose to use it, it may just change your life into exactly what you’ve always dreamed it to be. All you have to do is be mindful of your mindfulness and you can’t lose…
So the real question now is, when are you getting started?!