Many people have heard of mindfulness. Not only has it become a buzzword in various forms of media, but decades of psychological research have backed up mindfulness as a key component of mental well-being. So what is all the fuss about??
For one, some of the research-backed benefits of mindfulness are:
- Increases pleasure and joy
- Decreases depression and anxiety
- Increases compassion for self and others
- Slows down the nervous system
- Makes us more efficient and effective at completing tasks
- Reduces pain and discomfort associated with illness
On top of that – mindfulness is a highly accessible skill that anyone can learn. We can practice it anywhere and at anytime. It can be very challenging at first, but like any skill, it becomes easier over time with practice. With consistent practice, we are no longer “practicing mindfulness.” We are simply “living mindfully.”
But what IS mindfulness?
Mindfulness is an attentional training tool. It is a way to practice redirecting your attention to the present moment, fully and completely. It is a skill that builds acceptance and tolerance of the present moment; it also helps us slow down enough to reduce reactivity. It helps us live more intentionally and thoughtfully.
Here are some ideas for starting to practice mindfulness:
- Turn your attention to your 5 senses. Simply notice what you are observing with your 5 senses.
- Observe the rhythm of your breath for several minutes.
- When you are working, focus on one task at a time. Give it your full attention instead of trying to divide it between multiple tasks (pro tip: research has confirmed that multi-tasking is ineffective)
- Observe the feeling of your feet on the floor for several minutes at a time.
- Download a mindfulness app, like Headspace or Calm, which have many audio-guided mindfulness exercises to choose from.
Why not give it a try today? You will be doing wonders for your physical and mental health. It only takes a few minutes of practice every day to start to reap the benefits.
Be Well,
Dr. Anna Sheedy