What is Mindfulness? The Importance and Impact
/The United Nations recognized March 20th, yesterday, as the International Day of Happiness in order to identify and acknowledge ways we can help create a happier world. This year’s theme identified being mindful, grateful, and kind as key practices. Mindfulness is a concept brought up in a number of situations, and one may wonder: what exactly does it mean to be mindful?
In simple terms, mindfulness refers to your awareness of both yourself and your surroundings. This can include taking notice of your thoughts, emotions, physical feelings, and the environment you are experiencing at a given time. In doing so, you may arrive at a relaxed state, allowing you to experience and appreciate the current moment. People practice mindfulness through several methods, such as breath focus, meditation, or yoga.
But why is mindfulness important? According to an article published on News Medical, mindfulness has received criticism in the past for a lack of scientific evidence to support the impact of these practices. However, studies that have been published in recent years show several benefits. For instance, mindfulness-based interventions have been linked to decreased symptoms of anxiety and stress when integrated in psychotherapy practice. In addition, these techniques have also been associated with increased sleep quality as well as improved mental health outcomes overall.
Furthermore, mindfulness has been linked to altered brain functioning. As mentioned by the article from News Medical, mindfulness practice has been connected to an increase in gray matter in the prefrontal cortex, leading to improved problem-solving and emotion management. Additionally, an increase in hippocampus volume has also been associated with these practices, linking to improved memory and learning.
Overall, mindfulness can provide great benefits to your life when practiced. Here are some ways you can be more mindful during your everyday life!
Take notice. Pausing to notice your own feelings and surroundings can help you feel more present in any given moment. Use a few minutes throughout your day to take note of how you are feeling or what you are experiencing through your senses.
Focus on your breath. Taking deep breaths or simply focusing on your breathing can help you in grounding yourself during moments of stress or anxiety.
Acceptance. Allowing yourself to accept the current situation or environment as it is and surrendering to what is out of your control can allow you to find stillness and relief in difficult circumstances.