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Mindfulness
Mindfulness is…
The conscious, human process of being fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. Mindfulness is a quality that every human being already possesses. It’s not something we have to conjure up – we just have to learn how to tap into it.
Why is mindfulness important?
When we’re mindful, we reduce stress, enhance performance, gain insight and awareness through observing our own mind, and increase our attention to the well being of others. In short, being mindful strengthens our interpersonal relationships.
It gives us time in our lives to suspend judgement and unleash our natural curiosity about the workings of the mind, approaching our experience with warmth and kindness – both to ourselves and to others.
Mindfulness activities you can practise
Yoga
Yoga combines physical movement with mindfulness. It involves a series of poses that are linked together with breath, helping to quiet the mind and reduce stress.
Walking
Taking a walk in nature is also a great way to cultivate mindfulness. Being in nature can help quiet the mind and allow you to be present in the moment. Paying attention to the sights, sounds, and smells around you can help you feel more connected to your surroundings.
Journaling
Journaling can help you reflect on your thoughts and emotions in a healthy way.
Practising gratitude
A powerful way to be mindful is by focusing on the positive aspects of your life, which is exactly what you’ll do when you take a moment to sit back and reflect on what you’re grateful for.
Mindful eating
This involves paying attention to the taste, texture, and smell of your food, and savouring each bite, which can be very calming and another way to practise mindfulness.
Mindfulness meditation
Maybe the most popular mindfulness activity is meditation. This involves sitting in a quiet place and focusing on the breath, allowing thoughts to come and go without judgement. This can help calm the mind and reduce stress.
There are many tools and resources that can help us practise mindfulness. Some of our favourites include:
COMING SOON: Mindfulness Group Workshops at Mind Matters.