Life throws curve balls at you at times, and that’s completely normal. In fact, it's just normal to feel busy with work, family, money, and social life. Not only that, but texts and emails can leave us feeling like we never have a moment. Sure, having some stress is good, but if you feel like you're always stressed or can't get a break it can be harmful to your mental and physical health.
What Is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is focusing on being aware of the moment you're living in. This means not worrying about yesterday or tomorrow, but enjoying and being aware of what is happening at that exact moment in time.
You could be focused on your breath, your emotions, or what is happening around you. It's important to acknowledge things as they happen without judging them. Mindfulness and meditation are related but are very different things. Meditation is a practice that can be used in mindfulness. There are also many techniques that can be used in meditation.
How Can This Help with Stress?
When you are stressed, your body goes through a reaction that's meant to make you ready to fight or flee from whatever is stressing you. Your heart rate increases, your breathing quickens, and your muscles tighten. Now, having a little bit of stress here and there is good for the body, but if you are constantly under stress, this can lead to problems. Lack of sleep, headaches, and other conditions may arise.
Mindfulness can create a little space between you and whatever is stressing you.
For example, if you get a really bad text message while having a stressful day, you may be overwhelmed with anger. You could take a few deep breaths and be calmer before responding. This won't take away the stress, but it can help you respond to it in a better way.
Some Techniques to Try Out
There are many techniques to try out when it comes to practicing mindfulness. For most, all you have to do is put your focus on something for a certain amount of time.
Focus on Your Breath
Sit comfortably and bring your awareness to your breathing. Breathe in, then out, and notice the air going in and out of your body. Don't put too much pressure on yourself. Focus on your breathing, and if you zone out, come back to it.
A body scan is also a great way to practice.
Close your eyes and bring your awareness from your head to your toes. See what you notice, don't put judgment on it. This is a great way to relieve some stress if you're feeling tense.
Lastly, try a mindful walk!
Instead of using your phone or listening to music while walking to work, take this time to relax and enjoy your surroundings.
You can practice being mindful of the little things such as the air, your breathing, and your steps.
How Long Should I Practice?
As far as how long you should practice mindfulness, there's no right or wrong answer.
If you're new to it, it's better to start with something manageable like 5–10 minutes. Practicing daily is better than trying to spare an hour every now and then. You can eventually work your way up to longer sessions if you feel like it.
Mindfulness Is Not What You Think
A lot of people think that mindfulness is about emptying your mind and thinking of nothing at all,
but that's not the case.
Mindfulness is about being aware of your thoughts, not putting judgment on them, and bringing your focus back to something else. It's normal to think about work, your friends, or something you need to do, but your goal is to just acknowledge it.
This practice can help you be more aware of your body, your thoughts, and your emotions.
A Little Goes A Long Way In Mindfulness
Mindfulness isn't something that you have to do for hours and hours. In fact, it can even be as simple as taking a short break and putting your phone down. This practice can be a useful tool in everyday life. Mindfulness alone can't fix everything. If a medical professional thinks that you need medication or another type of treatment, then you should do it. If you're unsure about what to do, it is always a good idea to talk to one. Not only that, but mindfulness is a great way to help you take a break from the hectic world.
Some stress is a good thing, and some is not. It can be hard to tell the difference, but it's important to take a break if you think you need one.
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