What Is Mindfulness?
When it comes to our health and wellbeing, lifestyle is at the foundation of our ability to lead a healthy and fulfilled life. Our daily actions lead to habits that can help or hinder our journey to optimal wellbeing. There are so many pillars related to health and wellbeing, but today we are focusing on mindfulness.
Mindfulness is a mental state achieved by focusing our awareness on the present while acknowledging our feelings, thoughts, and physical sensations. We can achieve this by being consciously aware and bringing intent to our actions. Too often we are disconnected from our actions and simply just go through the motions. This causes us to ignore our body’s internal cues and not fully appreciate the present moment.
A connection with our present self is one of the most powerful tools we possess. Just think of how different an experience is when you are fully emersed. Take eating, for example.
We often rush through mealtimes and experience very little of it. How often do you sit down for a meal without distraction? Being connected to the food you eat, including the preparation, results in a more intimate experience. When you take in a meal with all of your senses- smell, touch, taste, sound, and sight, it results in a heightened experience and more satisfaction. This enhanced focus leads to more intuitive eating and better balance and relationship with food.
Almost all experiences in our lives are like this. The more present we are, the more meaningful the experience.
Tips to engage in mindfulness:
Slow down. Take the time required to complete tasks
Don’t multitask
Create an aesthetically pleasing environment to engage your senses. Turn on some music, light a candle, add vase of flowers to your table, etc.
Carve out time each day where you have nothing to do but just sit and breathe. This can be just 5 minutes to clear your head and reset your intentions
Get outdoors and breathe in some fresh air
Move your body every day
Create an intention or goal for each day. This may be as simple as a word or a phrase that resonates with you. Say this to yourself throughout the day to bring your attention back to your intent.
Lastly, mindfulness is not an end point, but rather a mindset we can choose to engage in each day. It takes work and dedication but makes each day we live so much more powerful.