Mindfulness: Being Here, Right Now
What do you think of when you hear the term “mindfulness?” When I first heard the term, I imagined a monk sitting cross-legged at the top of a luscious green hill under the warm Tibetan sun. While this monk could be practicing a form of mindfulness, it certainly does not have to look this way. Oftentimes, mindfulness gets confused as being a mystical form of meditation. While there can be a degree of meditation in the practice of mindfulness, and both have their inherent value, mindfulness offers some key benefits. Let’s take a closer look at what mindfulness is and the reason it is such a hot topic.
What exactly is mindfulness?
Mindfulness isn’t as mystical as it may seem. Simply put, mindfulness is the practice of being in the present moment. Mindfulness is all about noticing, in a non judgmental way, the way we feel, what we can sense (sight, smell, touch, taste, hear), what thoughts are rolling through our head, and where we are. Mindfulness is learning to simply be ourselves and be with ourselves. Now I admit, that last part can sound a bit odd. Afterall, aren’t we always with ourselves? What I am referring to is the act of mentally and emotionally being aware of our present moment experience. While we are physically ‘with’ ourselves each day, mentally and emotionally we can actually be quite distant.
Here are a few examples: have you ever been at work and noticed a few hours later when your stomach is roaring at you that you missed your lunch? Have you ever driven somewhere and realized you have no memory of what route you took, or whether you stopped at the red lights? What about those times during a conversation when you realize you have no idea what the other person has said so far? Most of us have experienced at least one of these, but likely all of them at some point. These are examples of times when we have been physically in one place, but mentally or emotionally in another. The practice of mindfulness is about experiencing our whole ‘self’ being in the present.
How do I do mindfulness?
The practice of mindfulness can look so many different ways, and the beautiful thing about it is that how that looks is very dependent on who you are. Here are a few examples of what mindfulness can look like:
Perhaps the most common practice of mindfulness is through the practice of deep breathing. It’s not often that we stop to notice our breath, but when we do it can be a powerful anchor for us as it is something that is always happening in the present moment.
For some, having a physical reminder or sensation can be a strong anchor to the present moment. This can look like going for a walk and noticing the ground beneath your feet, or doing stretches or yoga that draw our attention to bodily balance and strength.
Mindfulness can be practiced through expressive art, and noticing what comes up in the moment.
It can be through developing a healthier relationship with our food as we notice the smells, tastes, and textures of what we are eating at that moment.
It can also be practiced through a simple prayer, noticing what happens in us as we offer this surrender.
At first, it is natural to find yourself distracted as you begin to be intentional about being mindful. Our minds are used to constantly juggling all the stimulation around us, but as we learn to slow down and focus inward, mindfulness may become more than a practice. It can become a way of being. A key component in mindfulness is a curious and non-judgmental approach; offering ourselves the gift of patience and self-compassion for times we feel we mess up or don’t do it right, or let our thoughts get the best of us. The more we practice present-moment awareness, the more natural it may become.
What can mindfulness do for me?
Okay so now that we have a better idea of what mindfulness actually means, and how we can begin practicing it, let’s talk about the ‘why’ behind mindfulness. There have been many articles written about the powerful benefits of mindfulness including but not limited to lessening the symptoms of depression, anxiety, ADHD, and even trauma. Mindfulness can help increase the duration and quality of sleep as well as help in developing a healthier self-esteem. How, you may ask? Well, there are some neurobiological effects, but let’s stick to the foundational principles.
When we are able to practice self compassion and bring our whole self (mind, body, emotions, and spirit) into the present moment, we are less likely to engage in harmful practices like ruminating about the past (depression) or worrying about the future (anxiety). We are also less likely to experience the same degree of flashbacks (trauma) or difficulty with self regulation (ADHD symptoms). We are more likely to develop the capacities of self care, self compassion, self control, and self awareness. The beautiful thing about that is it will not only benefit us, but those around us.
If you are interested in developing a practice of mindfulness for yourself and want someone to journey with, we’d be happy to be there with you.
About The Author:
Chanae Smith, Registered Psychologist
-Chanae is a wife, a mother, and a Registered Psychologist that enjoys traveling, eating good food, learning, and playing. Chanae works with children and adults to form healthier relationships within the context of their homes, schools, personal relationships and even in the wider society.
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