Mind-full-ness?
What is mindfulness? Well…it is what it sounds like, being aware of you, your thoughts, your body, feelings and your environment. When you read what mindfulness is, as stated earlier, it seems easy to apply. However, it is difficult to get in tune with your thoughts, feelings, body or environment. It is not only about getting connected with yourself, but also being able to not judge yourself for positive or negative thoughts. For example, mindfulness allows you to experience feelings, thoughts, body sensations and the environment without believing there is a “right or wrong” way to feel in that moment.
For many, when experiencing a situation, we connect the past to the current, but mindfulness teaches us to be in tuned with what we are currently experiencing without traveling back in time. Rehashing old memories to connect them to current experiences is one way to lose mindfulness. This is because old memories and future stresses disconnect you from the present. There is a saying “Don’t Let the Moment Pass You By.” That saying is powerful, because savoring the moment can teach us what is needed for growth. Yes, emotional moments are difficult, but practicing mindfulness helps you to be aware that your thoughts are fleeting. These thoughts do not define you, but insight into your thoughts can relieve you from stress.
Intense emotions can cause you to become detached from all senses. However, paying attention to your breathing, sights, sounds and smells helps you to remain in tune with yourself. Another way to stay mindful is allow time for a full “body scan” and focus on what’s in your current environment. You can take a break from all the hoopla and listen to the traffic outside your office window or listen to the HVAC system releasing air into your office. Another way to ground yourself in the present is to list 5 things you can see, 4 things you hear, 3 things you can smell, describe the feeling of 2 textures, and take 1 deep breath. All of these mindfulness practices help you to remain in the present. So how mindful are you right now?
