Being Present
What Is Mindfulness?
As written by the Seattle Mindfulness Center: "Mindfulness is the gentle effort to continuously attend to and be present with our experience, as it is. It involves greater awareness of thoughts, feelings, and sensations, without criticism. This allows for seeing clearly, whatever is happening in our lives, and creates an opportunity to step away from habitual, reactive patterns."
How Can Mindfulness Work For You?
According to the American Psychological Association specific empirically benefits associated with mindfulness include:
- Reduced rumination
- Stress reduction
- Boosts to working memory
- Greater focus
- Less emotional reactivity
- More cognitive flexibility
- Increased relationship satisfaction
Mindfulness is for Everyone
Check out this Tedx (below) for more on how to practice mindfulness through being present!
Grounding Technique
Try following this video from headspace to help guide you through practicing mindfulness through this quick and easy grounding technique.
Cougar Heath Services also provides ways to practice mindfulness!
Be Present Tip:
Develop an attitude of gratitude. Take a moment today and notice all that you appreciate. Maybe even make a list of the things that you are grateful for. This task might shift your focus from what’s missing or wrong with life to what’s right. See if you can feel grateful for what you have and don’t have. Pause, breathe in and out, and actually focus on the feeling of gratitude. See if you can take that attitude of gratitude with you as you move through your day.