How Mindfulness Can Save your Life

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness has been defined as “moment to moment awareness without judgment.”

Another useful definition of mindfulness is: Paying attention to the present moment, on purpose, with openness, curiosity, and non-judgment.

To better understand how to be in the present moment, mindfulness utilizes the senses to integrate us more fully into the present moment: sight, sound, smell, taste, and hearing.

Why does being present, or mindful, matter?

Mindfulness has been shown to have an overwhelming amount of emotional and physical health benefits. 

Here are 5 ways that Mindfulness can save your life:

1.   Increased resiliency, or the ability to cope effectively, to life’s challenges.

2.   Reduction of stress and increased positive emotions, resulting in less anxiety and other difficult emotional experiences.

3.   Decreased rumination, or the recycling of negative, anxious thoughts.

4.   Improved memory.

5.   Increased relationship satisfaction.

The evidence for the benefits of mindfulness are overwhelming. Interested?  

Start practicing mindfulness now with these 3 simple techniques:

1.   Sit quietly for 3-5 minutes a day and bring your attention to your body & your breath. When your thoughts naturally wander, gently bring your attention back to the breath.

2.   For one meal a day, take one minute to focus your attention fully on your food. Take in all the senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste. Research shows that mindful eating has multiple benefits, including weight loss.

3.   At the beginning of each shower, practice being fully present to the experience of the shower. Notice the heat of the water on your skin and the sound of the water.

Mindfulness can be something you can start now. If you need a reminder, try this Mindfulness app on your smart phone.

Learning mindfulness from a trained professional can be a journey worth taking. Contact me to start!