Mindfulness is the ability to stay in the present moment and to focus our thoughts on what is happening in the here and now in a curious nonjudgmental way. It’s our ability to not think about the past or the future but to instead observe what is happening right in front of us.
Why Should We Practice Mindfulness?
The work of teachers such as Deepak Chopra has greatly contributed to our understanding of mindfulness and why it’s so important to incorporate it into our daily practice.
At Liani Wisdom we believe practicing mindfulness increases happiness as it keeps us centered into what is good in our present moment and into accepting our own feelings with compassion. Thus, it has many proven benefits from reducing anxiety, depression and chronic pain to improving sleep and reducing stress.
Additionally, when we practice mindfulness, we can accomplish some of our goals, such as losing weight or starting a new project. Moreover, mindfulness can be used as a method of managing people or overcoming external challenges with greater effectiveness. A positive and meaningful life requires cultivating mindfulness as a valuable practice.
Although cultivating mindfulness may be difficult, making practices a part of our daily lives will help us reconnect with what is important. We all know there is nothing better than a good meditation, but sometimes it is hard to find time in our busy schedule to do a 20- to 30-minute meditation. To focus our attention, we can set up micro practices throughout the day.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there are many simple ways to practice mindfulness, some of them include:
- Pay attention. An ever-busy world makes it difficult to stop and notice the little things. Ensure you use all five senses to appreciate your environment - touch, sound, sight, smell, and taste. When you eat your favorite food, for instance, take the time to smell, taste, and really enjoy it, imagining what it took to arrive at your table, how many steps where necessary, it will make you appreciate it even more.
- Live in the moment. Try to intentionally bring an open, accepting, and discerning attention to everything you do. Find joy in simple pleasures.
- Accept yourself. Treat yourself the way you would treat a good friend.
- Focus on your breathing. When you have negative thoughts, try to sit down, take a deep breath, and close your eyes. Focus on your breath as it moves in and out of your body. Sitting and breathing for even just a minute can help.
Simple mindfulness exercises can be performed anywhere and anytime. By becoming more present in our lives and relationships with others, we can make better decisions, manage our feelings better, and be more fully engaged in our lives.