Finding Your Mindfulness

 

 Mindfulness derives from Buddhist teachings and practices that focus on increasing our own awareness on the present moment. It is a form of meditation that focuses on sensing and feeling the moment. Our minds may become preoccupied with worries about the past or future, and mindfulness can help redirect our mind back to the present and reduce stress.

 

            If you feel like it is difficult to “shut off” your mind meditation can help unwind and relax. Meditation may feel like a complicated practice that can only be mastered with help from a professional, but there are simple techniques that can be used at home to practice mindfulness.

 

Simple mindfulness techniques include breathing, paying attention and living in the moment. Many books and blogs provide structured mindfulness exercises, take time to review different techniques to find a few that work well for you. If you decided to try some techniques on your own remember to focus on the here and now, don’t let your mind wonder or daydream.

It may be difficult to focus in this way at first and you may find your mind wondering off and having to reel yourself back to your exercise. Just like any activity, mindfulness takes practice and the more you practice the easier it will be to stay focused on the here and now. Patience with yourself is key towards taking the steps to the life you want to live.