What is mindfulness?
In simple words, mindfulness means being calm and experiencing the present moment with focused attention to oneself and the surrounding.
Why do we need to be mindful?
Being mindful brings peace and sensitivity to our thoughts and actions. Practising mindfulness helps in reducing anxiety and stress. In addition, it can bring positivity to our thoughts and feelings, which is good for our overall well-being.
How to achieve mindfulness?
Similar to any exercise, we need to practice being mindful. The first step is to have an open mind and accept our thoughts or reactions. Second, be curious about our emotional trigger points. Finally, be kind to ourselves by not judging our thoughts.
We start by observing ourselves while doing a simple task. For example, observe our posture, body, and thoughts when sitting. The intention is to slow down, cultivate awareness, improve observation, and get insights into our thoughts. Allow ourselves to relax and concentrate on the present moment.
It doesn’t matter if our thoughts are all over the place; keep nudging our minds to bring us back and refocus on ourselves. Practice as often as possible, whenever and wherever, to feel the positivity of mindfulness.
How does being mindful help?
By practising mindfulness, we can increase our focus and mental strength. It helps organize our thoughts and priorities in life. Mindfulness brings a sense of positivity, an open mind to change and a heightened awareness of our surroundings. Training our minds to be present and clear will help our bodies cope with stress.