Mindfulness seems to be a popular term in the mental health field right now. You’re probably wondering what it is and if it really works. According to this Psychology Today article, mindfulness is being fully aware of the present moment.
When you are mindful, you are in a state of awareness and fully conscious of your thoughts and feelings without judgment. You are living in what renowned psychologist Carl Rogers called the ‘Here and Now’. You are neither preoccupied by the past nor anxious of the future; you are simply here in this present time.
In this digital age of constant distractions its more difficult than ever to be in the here and now. What would life look like for you if you were fully present? How would it affect your conversations, relationships, or career?
Best selling author and speaker, Jim Rohn put it this way, “Wherever you are, be there”. When you are with your family, be with your family. When you’re working, work. When you are resting, rest. Now this is much easier said than done but when put into practice it can significantly improve your life.
Living a mindful life can have direct benefits to your health and overall wellness. According to this article by the American Psychological Association, here are some of the empirical benefits:
- Stress reduction
- Decreased symptoms of depression
- Emotional reactivity
- Reduced anxiety
- Relationship Satisfaction
- Empathy
- Memory
- Immune functioning
- Overall quality of life
And the list goes on and on… Again, this is much easier said than done. Mindfulness is a daily exercise that does not reveal its benefits overnight. The more you practice the better you become.
Now that you are aware of the benefits of mindfulness, here is an article I wrote on concrete action steps and practices for increasing your self-awareness.
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