Have you been hearing a lot about mindfulness recently? Mindfulness is the practice of being aware of your thoughts, feelings and environment in a positive way, and without judgement. For instance, thinking to yourself “my thoughts are bad or not good enough” is judgmental, and therefore not a good example of mindfulness. Did you read our blog on Meditation last week? Mindfulness and meditation can be closely connected. Mindfulness-based meditation is when you meditate to become more aware of your thoughts and feelings. It can require years of training to become good at and is a great exercise for your brain.
Why should you try being mindful?
Many studies today are conducted on how mindfulness can help you to reduce stress and improve your quality of life through having a more positive perspective. In fact, mindfulness is strongly linked to positive psychology. It can be used as a tool over time for a wide range of reasons, such as:
- stress & anxiety reduction
- higher resilience
- improved memory
So how can you begin the practice of mindfulness?
- Focus on your breathing (especially in times of strong emotions like anxiety/excitement/anger).
- Pay attention in the present moment. Notice the sights, smells and sounds. Notice your body’s physical sensations whether you are having a hot shower or sitting at your desk.
- Understand that thoughts and emotions are fleeting.
- Don’t overthink any given moment. Just try to enjoy and be aware.
For more information on mindfulness, please visit the Positive Psychology website.
