The Benefits of Practicing Mindfulness

Charlotte Turner



When it comes to mindfulness, you’re probably aware of the term and you may even practice it at times.

In a moment of stress when you tell yourself to breath, you are practicing it without even knowing it. We’re talking about Mindfulness.

While the word may conjure up images of yoga mats and zen gardens, mindfulness is so much more than simply thinking about the word “om” repeatedly, and learning the techniques associated can provide you with many benefits. 
WHAT IS MINDFULNESS?

Mindfulness is the act of staying aware and paying attention to yourself and your surroundings. It is about truly being present in the moment, to enjoy your life as it is happening rather than looking back on the moment. The best, and most visually popular, way to practice mindfulness is to sit in complete silence with your legs crossed, eyes shut, and palms facing upwards.

Don’t have the time? Don’t stress…Stressing is the complete opposite of what mindfulness is about. Stressing means that you are focused on the future, not the present.In this busy world, we are so focused on accomplishing our to-do lists – both personally and at work - that we don’t have the time to find a connection with the present moment.

We do not look inward to recognize and acknowledge what we are doing or how we are feeling.While sitting in a quiet room with your legs crossed is a fantastic way to centre yourself and practice mindfulness, for some, this isn’t always possible.

So what can you do instead?

It’s simple; Focus on your breathing. Listen to your breath going in and out. Feel your chest rising. Don’t let your mind drift away and bring it back to your breathing if it does.

Observe the world around you. Take a moment to look around, focus on something ordinary and really focus on it. Don’t let your mind drag your thoughts elsewhere.Listen.

Listen to whoever it talking to you and truly take in what they are saying. If you’re by yourself, listen to the sounds around you – the rustling wind through the trees, the bird chirping, the wind blowing, the rain falling. Just focus in on it and clear your mind.

These exercises don’t have to be long but over time they will teach you to focus more on your life and your surroundings and you’ll find yourself being truly present for more.
WHY IS MINDFULNESS IMPORTANT?

Mindfulness has gained significant importance over the years as it comes up with plenty of scientifically proven health benefits. It plays a vital role in stress reduction, boosting your energy levels, and enhancing overall happiness.

Furthermore, studies suggest that mindfulness may also improve the health of your heart and brain and may strengthen the immune system.This technique is applied all over the world to improve leadership skills and collaboration to decrease healthcare costs. Many companies such as Google, Bank of America and Salesforce have begun providing mindfulness training to assist with overall employee wellness.

Mindfulness is your way of training yourself to focus your attention in a certain way to calm your mind. It can help you in your day-to-day life, work, relationships and overall well being.