The Myth of Mindfulness... and how to make mindfulness easy.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is the ability to pay deliberate attention to our experience from moment to moment. To notice what is going on in our mind, body and emotions without judgment.

Mindfulness is an effective tool for our mental well-being as it brings us out of the past or future, and into the present.

My practice makes me feel grounded, safe, more in tune with myself and my emotions, and it allows me to let go of the things I cannot control.


Why do we need Mindfulness?

We spend so much of our lives living in the past or future. Ruminating on things that were, and preparing for what’s to come. But too much focus on the past or present can negatively affect our well-being.

We find ourselves living in the past when we rehash previous scenarios or wonder ‘what if I’d have done that differently?’ ‘What if I’d have said that, traveled there, or made a different choice in my education or career’. Although it can be helpful to look back and reflect on our past to support our learning and growth, too much rumination on the past can take us into feelings of depression as we focus on the ‘what ifs’ and regrets of things we cannot change.

When we live in the future we tend to experience feelings of anxiety as we worry about what might happen; worry about what people might think; and play out worst case scenarios. This is a common safety mechanism to allow us to feel in control and prepared for whatever may come. However, rumination on the future can quickly spiral into fear, worry and anxiousness.


The Myth of Mindfulness

We’re sometimes led to believe that mindfulness requires completely emptying the mind, or that it needs to be a regular meditation practice, an hour on your yoga mat, or a 5am daily ice bath. Of course it can be these things… but it can also be the 2 minutes while you’re making a coffee.
 

How can we bring more Mindfulness into our daily lives?

Anytime you do anything while focusing on the present moment you are practicing mindfulness.

Next time you’re brushing your teeth, rather thinking about what happened earlier in the day or what’s on the to do list for the day ahead… just focus on brushing your teeth.

Or maybe you use the time while you’re preparing food, eating, walking, taking a shower, or cleaning to return to the present moment, notice the physical sensations, thoughts, and feelings and accept them for what they are.

Let the past be where it was, and let the future be where it will be.


And, as always, if you need a helping hand I'm here for you!