Have you heard the term “mindfulness” yet? It’s one that is becoming increasingly used not only in the world of psychology, but in education, business and even sports. Being mindful means so much more than being attentive. It’s being present in the here and now. It’s opening your heart and mind to new information, new concepts, new adventures.
There is a lot of empirical proof coming out to show the benefits of mindfulness. Reduced stress, increased productivity and better personal relationships are just a few of the reasons the push for mindfulness has become so great in the last couple years. In my humble opinion, though, more mindfulness in our world these days is incredibly needed. With so many people struggling to cope with anxiety and depression, mindfulness could help alleviate the cognitive and physical symptoms that are associated with each issue. Then there is the never-ending thread of commentary we hear about tragic accidents and mishaps that occur, all because someone involved just wasn’t paying attention. Smart phones, tablets, laptops and so many other gadgets have us fixated on the virtual world, rather than the real one. If you ask me — and I’m sure many others — our world could use a dose of all of us being more mindful and present in our daily lives.
So what is it — mindfulness? It’s a term that sounds so simplistic and complicated all at the same time. I invite you not to think too much about this one. I found a great definition on the website mindful.org. They characterize being mindful as “the basic human ability to be 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.” Easy, right? It has the potential to be, yes. But our world has become so fast-paced, so cut-throat that many of us (and I say “us” because I’m as guilty as the next person) are wrapped up in anything except the present moment in time in which we reside.
Moms needing a break from kids scroll their social media feed, just to ‘check out’ for a minute. Young professionals trying to climb the ladder of success bury themselves behind a screen and a keyboard in order to move up. Teens addicted to screens hit reset on the latest video game in order to get one more fix. Tweens just wanting to fit in add strangers on Snap without giving a thought to the dangers and implications of doing so. All of the above-mentioned examples are said without judgment or condemnation, because like I said, I’m guilty myself. But think of the costs of each. Mom misses precious moments with her littles. Young professional alienates friends and family who just want a minute of uninterrupted quality time. I don’t think I have to reiterate the dangers and pitfalls of teens and tweens and screen time and social media. We’ve seen — and continue to see — the rise of the costs of both.
So what’s the big idea? How does mindfulness play into each of these and other situations today? Mindfulness allows us to slow down and be present in the moment. “How?”, you ask. Well, first, turn off your devices. Heck, put them in a whole different room if you can. Turn off the t.v — it’s hard to be mindful and present with talking heads and reality drama queens screaming in the background. Next, relax your body — but not too much! We aren’t looking to take a nap or anything. (Napping and sleep are a whole other blog post…maybe next time.) Simply sit comfortably and begin to breathe deeply. Pay close attention to the way your body feels at this moment. List to your breath. Feel the rhythm of your heart beating. Notice any tension in your back, shoulders, etc. You don’t have to sit for long in order to do this exercise. A few minutes will do. Once you finish, begin going about your daily activities. While doing so, though, try to pay attention to the thoughts and actions that carry you through your day. Try not to focus on what lies in the past or what may come in the future. Remember to be present in the activity you are doing, the people you are with and the environment you are in.
If you are new to mindfulness, it can feel pretty weird at first. It’s hard to get into new habits and routines. It’s even harder to break old ones. It can feel a little strange to only focus on the present moment in time. When you find yourself beginning to spin off into the oblivion of worries and anxious thinking, bring yourself back to that relaxing state of breathing and being. Try not to focus on the past or the future, just the present. After all, we can’t change what has happened in the past and we have zero control over what will happen in the future. But the here and now, we can enjoy and use to ground us. Being present, it turns out, is a gift that keeps on giving to not only you, but others –and even the world as a whole– as well. ♥♥♥
Crossroads Mental Health Services 