“Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; On purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally.” Mindfulness is an emotionally non-reactive state.
In mindfulness we are noticing the present, we purposely direct our awareness away from thoughts that take us away from the ‘now’. We reconnect with our bodies, recognise the sights, the sounds, the smells around us.
Becoming more aware of the present allows us to enjoy the moment and understand our bodies better, our reactions. We can teach ourselves to notice when negative thoughts are controlling us. Mindfulness can help us deal with our issues in a more efficient way.
It helps to practice mindfulness regularly at the same time, creating a habit.
Practicing mindfulness:
- Pick a quiet spot (leave the light on)
- Set a time frame (start with 5-10 min per session)
- Take a good posture
- Feel your breath, follow it, notice it.
- When you realise you’ve gotten distracted, go back to focusing on your breath.
“Awareness of this kind also helps us notice signs of stress or anxiety earlier and helps us deal with them better.” Source: NHS, mindful.org
