What is mindfulness? Being aware of what is going on around you and being present in what you are feeling, thinking, and experiencing.
Many Americans are on autopilot and just going through the motions of everyday activities and living and are not aware of what is going on in their lives around them.
Some benefits of mindfulness are:
· Increasing your self-awareness
· Decreased stress, anxiety, and depression
· Being more connected with your body and what is going on inside your body
· Improved sleep and relaxation
· Improved academics and work-related tasks
· Improved gratitude
· Developing insight into your life
Some ways to improve mindfulness:
· Breathing- especially deep breathing, and relaxation breathing
· Body scan- Pay attention to what you are feeling in each part of your body, try to relax any tight and tense regions
· Mindful eating- Pay attention to the taste, textures, and aroma of the food that you are eating. Don’t eat while watching TV, on your phone, or distracted by other means.
· Mindful movements- Pay attention to how you are moving, and the surroundings you are moving through.
Another great mindful exercise is the 5-4-3-2-1 grounding technique:
· 5- Acknowledge five things that you can see
· 4- Acknowledge four things that you can touch
· 3- Acknowledge three things that you can hear
· 2- Acknowledge two things that you can smell
· 1- Acknowledge one things that you can taste
