Practice Mindfulness for a Healthy Mind, Healthy Life
Mindfulness is a popular topic in the wellness world, but what is mindfulness, how do we practice it, and why should we make this a priority in an already busy life?
Mindfulness is a state of being present and fully aware of your thoughts, emotions and bodily sensations without judgment. An important aspect of mindfulness is accepting the moment for what it is, and not wishing it was different. There are many ways to practice mindfulness; it can look different for each of us.
Benefits of Mindfulness
Regular practice is best to see the long-term benefits. Ideally, these practices are done daily, but it can be difficult to fit into each day. Aim to incorporate some form of mindfulness practice most days of the week for at least 10 minutes.
Consistently practicing mindfulness can result in many psychological and physical benefits. These benefits include:
- Reduced stress, depression and anxiety
- Increased creativity, focus and attention
- Improved emotional regulation, sleep quality and immune function
- Lowered blood pressure
How to Practice Mindfulness
If you are new to practicing mindfulness, start small, even just a few minutes can be meaningful and creates a foundation to build upon. Be patient with yourself as you train your attention span to focus on the present.
Find activities you enjoy. This can range from taking a hot bath to going fishing or hiking. Mindfulness can be practiced anywhere. Listed below are a few suggestions of practices to try. Pick an activity and direct your mind to be present in the moment.
- Formal practices: Meditation, breathing exercises, body scan, yoga and tai chi
- Informal practices: Walking, eating, journaling, puzzling, showering and communicating
Formal practices are more structured than traditional forms of mindfulness, where you must set aside a certain amount of time to practice. Informal practices allow you to integrate mindfulness aspects into daily activities by directing your focus to the present moment and your sensations. Both formal and informal approaches are beneficial.
Implement regular mindfulness practices to improve your outlook on life and interrupt the cycle of negative self-talk and never-ending to-do lists, by acknowledging the good and directing attention to the world around you. When practiced consistently, these activities train your mind to be in a state of calmness, gratitude and compassion, allowing us the space to be the best versions of ourselves.
Learn more about health and wellness benefits.
By Taylor Schumacher, LiveNOW Health and Wellness Coach
