Mindfulness is a state of nonjudgmental awareness of what is happening in the present moment, including the awareness of one’s own thoughts, feelings and senses.
During a state of Mindfulness, you will notice your thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations as they happen. The goal is not to clear your mind or to stop thinking, it is to become aware of your thoughts and feelings, rather than getting lost in them. The thoughts, feelings and sensations that you notice should be observed in a nonjudgmental manner. For example, if you notice a feeling of nervousness, simply states to yourself, “I notice that I am feeling nervous.” There is no further need to judge or change that feeling.
There are many benefits of practicing mindfulness. Some include: reduced symptoms of Anxiety and Depression, improved memory, focus and mental processing speed, improved ability to adapt to stressful situations, a greater satisfaction within relationships, reduced rumination (repetitively going over a thought or problem) and improved ability to manage emotions.
Below is a mindfulness activity you can practice, when ever you want, where ever you are and no one will even know you are doing it. It can also be used to quickly ground yourself in the present when you only have a moment. The goal is to notice something that you are currently experiencing through each of your senses.
The Five Senses
Name 5 things you can see?
Name 4 things you can hear?
Name 3 things you can feel?
Name 2 things you can smell?
Name 1 thing you can taste?
The more you practice mindfulness, the more you will become aware of what is happening around you and the easier it will be to stay in the moment.