Written by: Mahara Wayman, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
Developing a mindfulness practice may seem daunting, especially if this is a new concept or you're not used to practicing mindfulness. You may also think you must be a yogi or yoga aficionado to do it well and experience the benefits. Not so! This article will demystify the concept so you can enjoy some or all of the benefits. Studies have shown that regular mindfulness practices have many benefits for all aspects of one's life.
They include:
Less stress, anxiety or depression
Better focus, sleep and engagement
More happiness, clarity and gratitude
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a state of seeing everything through a lens of complete awareness without judgement or reaction. This stillness helps develop our sense of self because, in those moments of non-judgement and non-reaction, you are simply being, paying attention on purpose and with an open heart. It may sound impossible or even downright strange, but the practice has been around for thousands of years and is recognized today as an integral component of a healthy and vibrant life.
The beauty of a mindfulness practice is that it can take you wherever you need to go. It can take you deeper into your narrative. Why does this situation trigger my anger or perhaps appreciating the complexity of your surroundings; who knew there were cobwebs in the top left corner of my living room? It can also be practiced in small snippets throughout your day using all your senses. You already use your senses to filter the myriad of information coming at you. Taking a moment to see that information without judgment or reaction starts a mindfulness practice.
As we get better at seeing the world around us without bias (what we see is "what is,"), we will get better at our responses choosing responses that serve us. For example, suppose we can sit with emotion before reacting. In that case, we may be able to identify where that emotion is coming from instead of allowing it to trigger us automatically. That level of awareness can lead to acceptance, and acceptance can change your reaction. Awareness and mindfulness go hand in hand. By choosing to be mindful, you're better able to move forward in a way that best suits you.
Less Stress
Mindfulness can help you experience less stress in your daily life for this simple reason; when you are mindful, you are in complete acceptance and a judgment-free zone. This empowering state can leave you feeling confident and happy; it's hard to feel stressed in that state. The same can be said for other challenging aspects of our lives; you can't focus on them if you live
in the present because the present isn't about anything other than the here and now. If you find yourself getting caught up in the feelings, being mindful of your physicality is a great way to get out of your head. Being mindful takes you out of your head and into your life.
Better Focus
Having better focus is one of the quickest results of a mindfulness practice. This practice encourages concentration, which is a beautiful ability to take into your day. Can you see the benefits of focused action in your life? Being mindful before bed allows us to create a nighttime routine that slows the mind and prepares it for a restful sleep. Turning off the day's thoughts or what's coming tomorrow signals to your body that you are shutting down to recharge.
More Happiness
Happiness is not overrated; everything we do revolves around our desire for that state. We live in a society that teaches us to connect satisfaction to material success, but mindfulness allows us to look at that differently. It is found in recognizing and accepting where you are, even if you're going through a tough patch. Your circumstances may be challenging, but five minutes of acceptance can be enough to put everything else into perspective. Remember, mindfulness is getting out of your head and into your life.
It isn't about you; it's about what is. You can take it further and discover your relationship within what is, but this author isn't going to take you down that rabbit hole today.
Practice Matters.
Here are four things you can do to practice mindfulness every day:
Before getting out of bed in the morning, do a mental check-in to gauge how you feel emotionally, mentally and spiritually. This allows you to tune in and prepare yourself for the day. Note: this may require more attention, i.e., stretching, affirmations, and mirror work to address and fine-tune what your scan has brought to your attention.
Set a timer for 5 minutes and sit quietly in silence. Try not to think about the laundry, your taxes or your waistline; let your thoughts come without judgement or reaction. I'm not going to lie; this is a tough one for most of us. It can be excruciatingly difficult to sit quietly and not let your monkey brain hold court, but it's only five minutes; your monkey brain can have a ball for the other 1,435 minutes of the day.
Go for a walk for 10 minutes, take note of as much as possible, and then write it down. American Naturalist John Burroughs said, "I go to nature to be soothed and healed and to have my senses put in order." Even he knew the benefit of taking time to be outside, out of his head and into his life.
Pause before every meal, think about what you are about to eat or drink, and then relish every part of the eating experience. Ask yourself, what does this food feel, taste, or smell like; why do I like it so much? A side benefit is that you may eat only foods you love that feed your soul and body.
What's so wonderful about starting or enhancing your mindfulness routine is that you will find multiple opportunities to practice throughout your day. The more you do it, the better you will feel. Everything you do in the day allows you to be mindful, from putting on your clothes to driving to work.
There is nothing mysterious about mindfulness. The joy in practicing it is realizing it doesn't have to be complicated; it's the least difficult thing you could do. All you're asking of yourself is to be present without judgement or reaction. Never fear; you can judge and react for the whole day ahead.
We live in a fast-paced world with endless opportunities to be more mindful. If you look for those opportunities, you can, with practice, learn to reduce your stress, get focused and be happier.
If this article resonated with you and you would like more content like this, please connect with me via Instagram, Facebook, Website, Linkedin.
Mahara Wayman, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Mahara began her coaching career working for a global health and wellness company, helping thousands transform their lives. Recently she decided to pursue her passion for helping women and started her company, Mindfulness With Mahara. She couples her years of experience with powerful techniques and her innate curiosity to help women find happiness in their lives and move from the story they have been stuck in to live the story they love.
She connects with women around the world every month with her free Clarity S.O.S workshop and her 1:1 + group coaching program, ReDesign, ReAlign & ReCreate Program: A 6-month transformative program that will give women the tools they need to move from a place of unhappiness and yearning in transition to peace and purpose.
