Mindfulness

What is this big word Mindfulness?

Mindfulness simply means being fully present at the present moment.

To be aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. It is a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, actions, surrounding environment.

It involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment.

Mindfulness has become a serious buzzword in recent times. It is being prescribed to patients experiencing stress and depression by the British Health Service. Harvard Business School includes its principles in its leadership programmes and some companies like Google and eBay have rooms for staff to practice mindfulness meditation in work time.

We tend to focus on the number of tasks we can get through in a day rather than the quality of their experience. Let us take it home – when was the last time you looked up to enjoy the wonders of God like the sunset or the stars? Or enjoying your own company without checking your phone or watching television?

Mindfulness allows you to deeply appreciate and enjoy the smaller moments in life, it brings a sense of calm and ease to more challenging ones. You take in the moment in a way that brings a wealth of benefits including reduced stress and anxiety, give a more balanced response to difficult situations, better communication, more satisfying relationships and increased focus and concentration. It has been shown to also enhance the immune system.

It is worth knowing that our lives unfold only in moments. If we are not fully present, we may not only lose what is most valuable in our lives but also fail to realise the richness and depth of our possibilities for growth and transformation.

Take a few hours in a day to empty your mind of whatever plagues you and just “chill”. Take a daycation, stay home in bed and just relax. Let go of your worries and just embrace joy and positivity. That goes a long way.

DID YOU KNOW?

Meditation can improve memory, attention, and even motivation. It can help with your mood and fight depression and increase self-awareness.

BENEFITS OF MINDFULNESS

• It helps improve the quality of your sleep
• It boosts your brain
• Helps lose that excess weight
• It lifts depression
• It eases symptoms of chronic illness
• It enhances communication
• Lowers stress levels
• It improves intimacy.