Mindfulness 101

Simply put, mindfulness is the act of being present or “present moment awareness”. Its aim is to give your mind some time out to reduce stress, anxiety & overwhelm and increase focus, resilience and healthy stress adaption.

To do this, we need to hold attention and not dwell on the past or anticipate the future.

Unfortunately, this is often easier said than done! The brain can be lazy and default to easy ways of thinking. It’s also prone to distraction and can wander, making it hard to focus on the present. Ironically, in trying to quieten the mind, we often make it louder.

However, the brain is a muscle (it’s actually not, it’s an organ!) – but, like a muscle, the brain can be trained. This is called neuroplasticity. Through practice, we can actually create new neural pathways – literally rewiring the brain 🧠🤓

Practically speaking, meditation is often touted as the main form of mindfulness. But this is really a catch-all term for any contemplative practices that settle the mind, allowing you to focus on the present moment and down-regulate stress.

Some people find gardening, cooking, colouring in or painting meditative, while other people enjoy deep belly breathing, guided meditation or other breath work. Experiment and find what works for you!

No matter which way you do it, there are a few things to keep in mind (or rather keep them out of your mind!):

⚖ No judgement – there is no good or bad way to be mindful

📿 Patience – things will unfold in their own time

🧠 “Beginners Mind” – see everything as if for the first time, no matter how long you’ve been practising

🤝 Trust – believe in yourself feelings and intuition

🙏 Non-striving – approach meditation without preconceived purpose, just let it be

🙌 Acceptance – see things as they are in the present, don’t try to make them something they’re not

Taking time out to give your mind a rest might seem a bit self-indulgent. And you know what? It is! So get selfish about your mental health and make stress reduction a priority