Feeling stressed? Want a clear mind? Try Mindfulness...

Mindfulness gives people distance from their thoughts and feelings, which can help them tolerate and work through unpleasant feelings rather than becoming overwhelmed by them. Mindful breathing in particular is helpful because it gives people an anchor--their breath--on which they can focus when they find themselves carried away by a stressful thought. Mindful breathing also helps people stay “present” in the moment, rather than being distracted by regrets in the past or worries about the future.

Mindfulness is the practice of focusing one’s attention on the present. 

Mindfulness is 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. Mindfulness practices have been "scientifically proven" to help people through difficult circumstances, pain and improves focus. Mindfulness is proven to help reduce stress, anxiety, and negative emotions.

" Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment."

Watch this video - Does Mindfulness Really Work?

What the Science Tells Us. With Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson, authors of Altered Traits.

There are many ways to practice mindfulness on a daily basis, I have included below my favorite tips:

• Be in the now - guide your awareness back to the present moment.
• Bring attention to your breathing - allow your breathing to flow in and out.
• Know your mind - take note of your thoughts, when your wandering or worrying and bring it back to the present moment through the control of your breathing.
• It takes two - To see the benefits from mindfulness remember two key ingredients awareness and appreciation.
• Be appreciative - reflect and appreciate family, friends and relationships.
• Happiness - Pay attention to your basic daily happiness habits.

A Few Things to Know About Mindfulness:

1) Mindfulness is not obscure or exotic. It’s familiar to us because it’s what we already do, how we already are. It takes many shapes and goes by many names.

2) Mindfulness is not a special added thing we do. We already have the capacity to be present, and it doesn’t require us to change who we are. But we can cultivate these innate qualities with simple practices that are scientifically demonstrated to benefit ourselves, our loved ones, our friends and neighbors, the people we work with, and the institutions and organizations we take part in

3) You don’t need to change. Solutions that ask us to change who we are or become something we’re not have failed us over and over again. Mindfulness recognizes and cultivates the best of who we are as human beings.

4) Mindfulness has the potential to become a trans-formative social phenomenon. 

Here’s why:

• Anyone can do it. Mindfulness practice cultivates universal human qualities and does not require anyone to change their beliefs. Everyone can benefit and it’s easy to learn.
• It’s a way of living. Mindfulness is more than just a practice. It brings awareness and caring into everything we do—and it cuts down needless stress. Even a little makes our lives better.
• It’s evidence-based. We don’t have to take mindfulness on faith. Both science and experience demonstrate its positive benefits for our health, happiness, work, and relationships.
• It sparks innovation. As we deal with our world’s increasing complexity and uncertainty, mindfulness can lead us to effective, resilient, low-cost responses to seemingly intransigent problems.

For those of you whom like to read to learn and share findings, this article was made for that purpose. I combined some the best articles, videos and teachings from Experts at Berkeley and Richard Davidson and Daniel Goleman.

Sources:

https://www.mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/

https://www.livemindfully.co.uk/about-us/

https://blog.dana-farber.org/insight/2016/12/6-ways-to-practice-mindfulness-infographic/

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