Mindfulness is the maintenance of awareness of one’s thoughts, feelings, sensations, and environment in the present tense. It is a nonjudgmental focus on the “now”, as opposed to a reliving of the past or imagining the future. Mindfulness allows us to live in the moment, experience and appreciate what is right in front of us.
So why does mindfulness matter? Oftentimes, we may find ourselves rehashing past events, or worrying about future ones. By focusing on the present, research has demonstrated that mindfulness decreases symptoms of both depression and anxiety and assists with stress management and coping. Many people who practice mindfulness report an increased ability to relax, a greater enthusiasm for life and improved self-esteem.
If you’re wondering how to practice mindfulness, you might spend a few moments each day gently introducing this practice more regularly into your life. Take a moment to pause and pay attention to the five senses as you are eating breakfast, for example. What do you see in your kitchen? Pay attention to the sounds of the microwave or of a bird whistling outside your window. Do you smell the cinnamon in your oatmeal wafting through the kitchen? How does it taste? How do your feet feel as they rest against the floor beneath you? If you notice your mind wandering to other thoughts – that’s okay. Just notice where your feelings and thoughts take you – in a nonjudgmental manner – and bring yourself back to those sensations when you are ready.