How to Cultivate Mindfulness

Having a still mind doesn't mean you don't think. It is also not one that's devoid of any emotions. In our attempt to?control?our thoughts and emotions, we miss out on what they are indicating. A still mind acknowledges all emotions, thoughts and feelings but doesn't get attached to them. It doesn’t indulge in them more than necessary.?

And one way to do that is by cultivating Mindfulness.??

Mindfulness is the practice of purposely bringing your attention to the present moment, but doing so gently, kindly and compassionately.?

The key here is mind-?management?rather than mind-?control.?

It's not news that in today’s all-consuming, multi-device world with constant stimuli, our brain structures are changing, and attention spans are lowering, resulting in a change in cognitive functioning.

I often hear from Gen Z that they can’t focus on a task for more than 5 minutes. From millennials, I hear, “My mind is all over the place, all the time.”?

But we can’t blame ourselves nor technology because busyness is still worn as a badge of honour and hustle culture is celebrated.

So, how can we start to cultivate a better relationship with ourselves, to better manage our time, cultivate mindfulness and improve brain and physical health? I believe it starts with kindness and compassion for self; recognizing that every human is different and needs to find methodologies that work for them. Journaling, exercising, pursuing hobbies, spending time in nature, with yourself, digital detoxing, setting boundaries by identifying what values hold true to you and with a meditation technique that works for you.?

When we meditate, we authentically connect with ourselves and become more aware of our feelings, behaviours, and patterns, and that self-awareness, enables us to connect better with the world around us and live each moment fully and intentionally.?

"The thing with meditation is you become more and more you", David Lynch.?

Meditation is one of the many tools everyone can use to build a healthy, joyful, and mindful life.?

#meditation #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mindfulness