What is Mindfulness and Why Do I Need It?
Our minds like to wander. Go on a little day trip sometimes, if you will. We might repeatedly find ourselves unable to focus on tasks at hand, feeling like we’ve lost touch with our own bodies, or finding ourselves on our way down the rabbit hole of obsessive thoughts. In fact, this might ring especially true as of late, as the mind tends to wander even more in uncertain times in a desperate attempt to grasp onto something (anything!) firm. This feeling is frustrating and brings about intensely anxious feelings.
This is where mindfulness comes in to save the day.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the innate human ability to be present from moment to moment, aware of our surroundings and actions, and not overwhelmed by what is happening around us. This might sound simple enough, but —-while every human being already has this quality within them— most people don’t quite know how to access it. In fact, a lack of mindfulness is generally at the root of the anxiety so many individuals experience on a day-to-day basis.
Benefits of Mindfulness
Mindfulness is one of the most empowering mental health tools we have in our back pocket, and it can have some incredible benefits, in addition to decreasing stress and anxiety.
- It enhances the ability to deal with illness. One of the most studied groups on the impact of mindfulness is people who suffer from chronic illness. While mindfulness might not eliminate symptoms, it can help a person manage better by decreasing ruminating about what could happen down the road, and instead focus on the happenings directly in their surroundings.
- It facilitates recovery. Whether it be recovery from a physical illness, depression, or substance abuse, mindfulness equips a person on their recovery journey by helping them to focus on the here and now.
- It boosts resilience, especially in children. Mindfulness is nothing short of a coping mechanism that helps us better understand our own emotions because we are actually listening to them for a change. Children can benefit from this especially because emotions tend to be tricky to navigate independently as a young child and without the proper toolset.
- It decreases burnout in the workplace. Mindfulness at work can act as a buffer for work environments that are unhealthy or unsupportive, as well as make room to be present in the working environment.
Read: 23 Amazing Health Benefits of Mindfulness for more details on specific studies and statistics.
Ways to Practice Mindfulness Yourself
As mentioned previously, a lot of us have replaced the mindfulness we should be practicing for the sake of our own wellbeing and improved relationships for the go-go-go of today’s culture. Thankfully, there are many proven methods for learning to see through the mindfulness lens, and it’s crucial to practice them in order to gain better footing in our day-to-day lives.
One of the best ways to practice mindfulness is to engage in consistent meditation. Establishing this routine is crucial to a change in your mindset, and even just a few minutes every day can make a big difference. Check out my past blog post, ‘The Power of Sitting Still: 3 Meditation Tips,’ to learn more.
You can also let your mind wander in order to practice gently and lovingly bringing it back to awareness. While it might seem counterintuitive at first, mindfulness is largely operative on the ability to notice your mind has gone astray in the first place.
Another great tool is to pick a cue that you encounter on a regular basis that will encourage you to check in with your mind, body, and emotions. For example, you might choose to pay particular attention to your mind when you’re drinking your morning coffee, or you might run a quick scan whenever you look in the mirror.
Finally, I am always available to you as a resource for helping you work towards mindful healing and recovery. Reach out anytime.
