Mindfulness: Taking the Time to “Be”

Exercising Mindfulness

Mindfulness isn’t what someone would think of when the word "exercise" comes to mind, but truth be told it’s very powerful for the body, mind and soul. For most people, being mindful isn’t something that just happens. In order for it to become a regular part of your life, it takes daily practice.

The Benefits of Mindfulness

To be mindful means to be in the present moment, noticing what is going on around you and noticing how your feelings relate to your environment. It’s about taking a moment to think before speaking, acting and reacting. When we are mindful, it gives us the opportunity to be our authentic selves, rather than who we are when we are trying to get through our day, seemingly on autopilot. Being mindful helps to form a stronger connection between us and those we care about. Mindfulness allows us to be more present with our children, showing them that they are more important than what we are doing, at the times that they are engaging with us. Our modeling of mindfulness shows them how to be more present in their own lives as well.

How to Practice Mindfulness

Start by taking five minutes a day to meditate by yourself. If you have never done mediation, know that there is no right or wrong way to do it. It’s really just about letting go of your thoughts and just being. As you get used to it, increase the time you meditate. The longer you do it, the more peace and mindfulness that comes with it. Find a comfortable spot and get info a comfortable sitting or lying position. Do not use a bed as you don’t want to fall asleep. Follow your breathing. Thoughts are going to keep coming into your mind. This is okay. Don’t judge them, just ask them to leave. The only thing you want to think about is your breath. Breathe in and breathe out, focusing only on following your breath. If you have trouble or get frustrated, there are thousands of meditation apps and CDs that you can use for guided meditations.

Connecting Meditation to Mindfullness

When we meditate, we clear the mind, making space for clarity. The more we practice meditating and the art of just being, we can incorporate it into our daily routine so that if something is bothering us, or someone is causing us frustration, we can stop and check in with ourselves, focusing on the breath for a minute before reacting. It allows for a better understanding of what is actually causing us to feel uncomfortable and provides a sense of peace when facing the situation.