Mindfulness is everywhere, everyday in everyway in an amazingly powerful way. But what does it really mean? Jon Kabbat-Zinn, the creator of Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR), defines it as this:

“Mindfulness is awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally.”

What that really means is being aware of, and attentive to what’s going on inside and outside of your body. It means not being on “autopilot,” going through the motions of life without a clear connection to what you’re feeling or doing.

To truly recognize if youre being mindful or not, it takes self -reflection. It’s a continuous process, meaning that life’s busy circumstances make it hard to maintain for constant periods of time, so it’s important to regularly refocus our attention when it wanders.
As for its benefits, according to the American Psychological Association, evidence suggests mindfulness helps reduce stress, improve focus and memory, lower emotional reactivity, increase cognitive flexibility, and improve relationship, to name a few.

How you can apply mindfulness to everyday life:

1. DECIDE to be more mindful.
This may sound obvious, but intention is everything. By simply making the commitment to be more mindful, you prime your mind for being more attentive and aware of what’s going on around you. You’re also more likely to recognize when you’re not being mindful and shift your awareness.

2. Use your ‘WAITING’ moments.
Whether you’re waiting for a train, are in an lift, or waiting for a slow web page to load, our days are filled with moments of waiting. Use those moments as triggers for tuning in. You can close your eyes and take a deep breath, look more thoroughly at the space around you, or simply check in with how you’re feeling at that moment.

3. Really ‘LISTEN’ when people speak.
How much of what others say do you think really gets through? How often do you find yourself consumed with thoughts or seeking distraction while someone else is speaking? Listening is a great anchor to mindfulness. Whenever you’re in conversation, aim to pay closer attention, make eye contact, and ask questions to fully take in what is being said. You’ll gain more insights and form a deeper bond with that person and everything around.

4. Notice YOUR senses.
Your senses offer constant opportunities to be mindful because they’re always attentive to the stimuli of the present moment. Linger over a delicious bite of food as you taste it, appreciate the smell of essential oils, gaze at the interesting views of your daily commute, touch someone in a loving and appropriate way, and hear all the sounds outside your window. If you’re not sure where to start, feel your own heartbeat or the rise and fall of your breath.

5. Seek out NATURE.
There is something awe-inspiring about nature that easily quiets the mind. Going on hikes to watch the sunset is nice, but you can still experience the mindful benefits of nature almost any day. Look out the window and see the trees swaying in the breeze or step outside for a brief walk during your lunch break. You can even pull up beautiful photos of nature online. Seek out nature as much as you can and observe it closely.

Being mindful is something we can all do regardless of the day or what we’re doing & the benefits are endless.