Mindfulness! Ever heard of this term? If yes, that’s great. Makes it a bit easier. For those who haven’t, we will try to take you through the basics of mindfulness here and how can it help in your daily life.
What is mindfulness?
Starting from the very basics, let’s look at what exactly is mindfulness.
As a starting point, Mindfulness is a state of being in the present with full awareness and involvement. Now to be fully aware and stay involved, you need to also accept the moment as it is in full and let your mind attend to what is happening NOW! And the biggest challenge is this- How to be in the present moment when our mind wanders off easily to either the past happenings or the future anticipations leading to stress and anxiety. Being mindful, brings the mind back to the present, away from the pain of the past and the worries of the future. It is an innate thing that we always had and have, but which we seldom exercise.
How can mindfulness help me?
Mindfulness is a state of being which is extremely empowering. But to be in this state, needs practice and training of our ever running minds. Through some techniques and small changes in the way you respond on our daily lives, you can slowly incorporate mindfulness in your life which over a period of time if practices regularly, becomes a state of natural being for you. You heard it right!! This transition isn’t such an uphill task except for attending to our mind and emotions. Well!! 🙂
Ok. To bring you on board, let me share a few ways practicing mindfulness can positively impact your daily life.
1. Reduces stress and negative emotions
Several studies have shown that practicing mindfulness regularly can reduce stress and negative emotions and improve mental well being. Since, mindfulness focuses on staying in present, it greatly reduces the stress and bad feelings that happen because of dwelling on the past and the future. It also empowers you to accept your current emotions in full and deal with them in a responsive manner. Certainly the power of HERE and NOW!
2. Mindfulness helps you focus better
Just the simple act of being in the present, tunes the brain so much better that it is able to focus better and longer. It tunes out distractions, improves memory and helps in decision making. And what wondrous results you produce, if you focus on the task at hand completely. Ain’t it?
3. Mindfulness enriches relationships
People practicing mindfulness tend to exhibit empathy and a non biased approach which works wonderfully well in cases of conflict and difference of opinions. It also helps people feel optimistic and relaxed and much more open to counter opinions as well.
Well! Another reason for practicing mindfulness and keeping up the decorum of the room.
4. Mindfulness fosters creativity and innovation
Since people who practice mindfulness look at things around with no baggage, they usually tend to think creatively and the novel way of looking at things fosters innovation. Mindful people ar more open to ideas and are resilient to setbacks, enabling them to innovate and create something new. Not just this, mindfulness can even reduce the cognitive decline happening due to ageing.
Wow! Cool enough to foster a whole gang of creative genies around.
5. Mindfulness is good for the heart and sleep
Practicing mindfulness stabilizes the breath and relaxed the heart. It tends to lower High Blood pressure, thereby putting the heart at ease. Also, with reduced stress levels, cardiovascular health remains good. The relaxation response induced by mindfulness is not just heart friendly but also helps in insomnia and improving the quality of sleep.
After all, what’s good for the mind is good for the heart as well! And some real good snooze!!
These are just a few ways in which mindfulness can affect your health and life positively.
Isn’t it a good idea then to let this wonderful thing creep in your life and make it beautiful, healthy and stress free?
To know a few simple ways to start mindfulness, please click here.
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