What is mindfulness and how to practice it?
In recent years, there has been much discussion on mindfulness. While some feel this ancient technique has various advantages for some it is just a 'type of meditation and nothing else'.
Our days are typically filled with multiple tasks and diversions that demand our attention in our fast-paced modern lifestyles. As a result, it is difficult to focus on one issue for an extended period of time.
Is mindfulness practice beneficial in this situation? Does it help us live in the current moment instead of obsessing on the past or what's to come?
But what exactly is mindfulness, and how does it work?
Mindfulness refers to the fundamental capacity of humans to be entirely present and conscious of where we are in the moment and what we are doing without becoming unduly reactive or overwhelmed by our circumstances.
In short, it entails being aware of our thoughts, feelings, physiological sensations, and the world around us at all times.
If you're going for a walk, for instance, don't do anything else. No more screen time, no more earphones plugged in—just walk. This active state of paying attention allows you to monitor your thoughts and feelings without judgment while also giving full attention to what you're doing at the time: It's calming and relaxing your body in this case.
When you slow down and pay attention to what is going on "in the moment," you may quietly examine what is going on within and around you , in this case, you may feel the breeze of the air touching your body and giving you a sense of calmness, while you watch the dry leaves shedding from trees, all of this without feeling overwhelmed. You may behave without overreacting in this condition and make decisions that are consistent with your fundamental beliefs.
If we go back in time, mindfulness has its roots in ancient Hindu and Buddhist traditions, where it was used as a kind of meditation and introspection.
It is a trait that each of us holds, and it does not need to be cultivated. It can be developed using conventional methods and processes.
Acceptance and non-judgment are the key terms here, as it pays attention to our thoughts and feelings without classifying them as right or wrong .
It allows us to focus on the current moment rather than the past or the future.
Meditation, body scans, and mindful moment activities are all strategies for practicing mindfulness. It has been demonstrated to have several physical and mental health advantages.
Lets do a quick mindful activity, shall we?
This is a brief and simple practice that will rapidly get you to a level of mindfulness. If you only have a few seconds to spare, the five senses exercise can assist you or your loved ones to quickly bring consciousness to the present moment.
By decreasing emotional reactivity and generating compassion for yourself, regular mindfulness practice can help you regulate your emotions and often make you aware of your triggers.
Cognitively, it has been linked to benefits in Working Memory, concentration, and, most intriguingly, it increases gray matter in certain parts of the brain.
It is essential to remember that mindfulness is not a cure-all for ailments or the only aspect in living a healthy life. Introducing mindfulness practices into everyday life, on the other hand, can have a good impact on general health and psychological well-being.