From mandala colouring books to silent retreats, the concept of “mindfulness” is everywhere.
But is it more than just a trendy buzzword? Is it actually just the same as meditation?
You might be surprised to hear the mindfulness is much easier than you think… and you could be practicing it already without knowing it!
What is mindfulness?
Humans are really good at overthinking things. And a lot of the time, we’re so busy analysing, planning and generally stressing about our lives, we forget to actually live them.
Mindfulness is simply a state of awareness of the present. It doesn’t mean you have to stop thinking. Rather, it’s about catching ourselves when our thoughts start to spiral – to step back from our anxieties and reflect on what’s actually going on inside us.
Are mindfulness and meditation the same thing?
Mindfulness is simply being aware of the present, which you can do in pretty much any situation. Meditation, while always incorporating mindfulness techniques, requires setting aside time in the day to be still and silent.
However, being mindful can improve your meditation practice, and vice versa. A great example of this interconnection is the concentration on breathing during meditation.
What are the benefits of mindfulness?
The calm, clear feeling after practicing mindfulness or meditation isn’t a placebo effect. Randomised trials have found that mindfulness may reduce psychological stress. Mindfulness meditation has also been found useful in treating illnesses like depression, anxiety, eating disorders, psychosis and substance abuse.
How to practice mindfulness every day.
Sounds like something to be mindful of, right? Best thing is, it’s really easy to try yourself.
Mindful walking: Go for a walk. Don’t rush – you don’t even need to set a destination. Focus all of your attention on every part of your foot that connects with the ground, every muscle in your leg needed to take each step.
Sarah is a big fan of this technique: “I imagine drawing fresh energy up from the earth on my inhale and pushing the stale, toxic energy back down on my exhale. After a bit it feels like I’m a conductor, fuelled by the massive generator that is this rotating planet.”
Mindful eating: One of the most famous meditation exercises is the “raisin meditation”, where you focus all your attention on eating a single raisin. How does it look, feel, smell, taste? How does it affect your body as you digest it?
The same practice can be applied to anything we eat (hopefully something less sugary than a raisin). After all, studies have shown that distraction durings meals can actually lead to overeating.
Mindfulness meditation: Putting aside 20 minutes in the morning to meditate will give you the clarity and poise to face your day head on (or, if you practice at night, to reflect on the day).
Never meditated before? Join a yoga class or download an app to walk you through the process (we like the Smiling Mind app). Or, check out our easy guide to meditation for beginners and find your zen!
Have you experienced the benefits of mindfulness?
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