The Importance of Mindfulness
So, what does Mindfulness even mean?? Dictionary.com defines mindfulness as 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. What I define mindfulness as is being present in what you are doing, no matter what that is. Maybe you are feeding your baby, enjoying music at a festival, eating dinner with your spouse, listening to your grandmother tell you a story. Regardless of what you are doing, you are present. You aren’t thinking about what you are going to have for dinner later, what you are going to respond with, or recording every song or performance so you can watch it another time. You are simply being there and living in the moment.
I first learned about mindfulness in college in my stress management course. It could not have come at a better time for me. I was trying to do way too many things at the same time! It also helped me to learn how to be present even in times of extreme stress. Being present really helped me to relieve the stress I was feeling and deal with it at appropriate times.
“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally” – Jon Kabat Zinn.
Examples of ways we can be mindful in a normal day
- Thinking about your breathing
- Doing one thing at a time
- Listening without Fixing
Why should we be mindful? PositivePsychology.com states that there are actually seven benefits to practicing mindfulness. They are: improved working memory, heightened metacognitive awareness, lower levels of anxiety, reduced emotional reactivity, enhanced visual attention processing, reduced stress, and managing physical pain. There are many incredible benefits to practicing this, as you can see. I have personally had the benefits of less emotional reactivity and less stress.
What are some benefits you have experienced through practicing mindfulness? Please comment below with your answers. If you loved today’s post, please subscribe below!
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