What is Mindfulness & Why Being Mindful Matters
What exactly is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is about being completely in the moment, paying close attention to what you're experiencing, both inside and outside of yourself, without judging or analyzing it.
It's like taking a deep dive into the here and now.
It might seem a bit complicated at first, but it's actually pretty straightforward, and incredibly effective. Think of it as one of your skills that's always there for you, whether you're facing difficulties or simply want to enjoy a moment of peace.
You can find mindfulness in lots of different things you do every day. Meditation is a big one, but even simple activities like listening to music, going on a walk, playing a sport, and drawing can all be mindful.
So, why is it so hard to be mindful?
Our minds are always wandering, dwelling on past mistakes, and worrying about potential future problems. This preoccupation with "what went wrong" and "what could go wrong" prevents us from fully embracing the opportunities right in front of us. The problem is, the present is the only place we can control and is where we have the power to work towards our goals and create the change we want to see. To stay in the moment and be present, we need to practice mindfulness.
Start by paying attention to the little things: the feel of the breeze, the colors of the trees, the instruments in a song, and the smiles of the people you're with. The more you do it, the more you'll train your mind to stay focused on what is happening in the now, and when it gets pulled to the past or future, know how to bring it back to the present.
Here are some easy mindfulness techniques you can try:
Guided meditations on apps such as Insight Timer or Calm (p.s. - it’s far more important that you accept if/when your thoughts wander than it is to try to have no thoughts at all!)
Going on a walk and pay attention to one thing; the colors of the leaves, the sounds of the city, the way your feet feel in your shoes
Pick a sense to focus on, bring your attention to all of the things you smell, touch, taste, hear or see
Listen to a song, pick one part of the sone to pay attention too (instrument, lyrics) and bring your mind there
Do a breathing exercise, count the length of your inhale and exhale and pay attention to your lungs filling up and releasing air
A body scan, paying attention to each part of your body one at a time.
*The most important thing to remember is when your mind wanders, gently bring it back to the moment
