The practice of mindful living can be of great benefit for a wide range of physical and mental health problems.
A survey by the Australian Psychological Society found that almost 50% of Australian workers named the workplace as a major source of stress.
Large companies like Google realise the damaging effects stress has on its workers and have implemented mindfulness training and meditation sessions for employees.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is about paying attention of the present moment.
We mostly focus on the past or future and neglect the present. Today there are many distractions that compete for our attention, computers, phones, TVs, social media, relentless marketing. We don't pay attention to things like our posture, breathing, muscle tension, thoughts and emotions.
Dr. Elise Bialylew, a meditation teacher says "When you make space for your mind, there's more room for creativity and innovation". That's probably why Google has implemented it's mindfulness program.
In a study published in the Journal of Consulting & Clinical Psychology in Sept. 2010 showed 80% of 102 adolescents being treated for mental health problems, were no longer diagnosed with one or more of their mental health diagnosis(es) after an 8 week mindfulness based stress reduction for teens program.
The benefits of mindfulness
- Better focus and concentration
- Improved health
- Decreased stress and anxiety
- Increased self-awareness
- Better responses to negative emotions
- Increased empathy and understanding of others
- An increased appreciation of life
- More creative solutions to problems
How to be more mindful
With its origins in Buddhism, mindfulness is commonly practised through meditation. However you don't have to meditate to become more mindful.
Mindfulness can be integrated into everyday life. You can be present in the moment when you go about your daily activities. It's all about taking time out to focus.
Some examples are -
working at the computer - take note of your posture, feel the tension in your shoulders and around your eyes, are you shallow breathing? Take a few minutes to relax your muscles and correct your posture.
Mealtimes - turn off distractions, relax, slowly chew the food, be aware of the flavours and textures.
Walking - in a natural environment such as a park instills a sense of calm, a peaceful natural setting helps with focus and reflection.
Daydream - let your mind wander. Fantasizing can allow us to become more mindful and creative.
Feel what you feel - not what you think you should be feeling. By accepting both positive and negative emotions and letting different feeling co-exist will lead you to a more balanced and mindful life.
Be open to new experiences, awaken your senses by trying new things can lead to a mindful experience.
Creativity - by pursuing a hobby or creative project is not only relaxing but it can bring your focus to the present.
Uni task - multitasking is the enemy of mindfulness. When we multitask we tend to make more mistakes, while taking more time.
And the finally, the one which we are all probably guilty of becoming is a slave to technology. We don't have to be connected all the time.
Take a technology break, turn off the phone at mealtimes, resist the need to respond to every email or text or message immediately, schedule times to check your messages.
Put yourself back in control!