For many of us, we rush through life going through the motions from one task to the next. We become creatures of habit and live our lives without truly stopping to think about what we are doing. Most of us justify this with we are so busy and have so much to get done, but the reality is our lives are just passing us by and we have become numb. Which for many of us may be the goal even if we don’t realize it.
Being mindful and purposely paying attention to the present moment helps us to be aware of our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. Its non-judgmental and gives us the power to live our lives in the fullest way possible. Practicing being mindful allows us to get to know ourselves and be able to manage the stress and anxiety often felt from life. It allows us to take control and manage our lives in a healthy and sustainable way.
Here are a few key components of practicing mindfulness:
- Pay close attention to your breathing, especially when you’re feeling intense emotions.
- Notice—really notice—what you’re sensing in a given moment, the sights, sounds, and smells that ordinarily slip by without reaching your conscious awareness.
- Recognize that your thoughts and emotions are fleeting and do not define you, an insight that can free you from negative thought patterns.
- Tune into your body’s physical sensations, from the water hitting your skin in the shower to the way your body rests in your office chair.
Some Benefits of Mindfulness
- Helpful managing stress
- Helpful managing depression & anxiety
- Helpful to people in recovery to prevent relapse
- May help retrain the brain to respond to stress thoughtfully