Mindfulness and its benefits

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a state of mind. For many, life is about survival, and much of our time and many of our responses to situations is a result of ‘automatic pilot mode’.  Mindfulness is a state of mind that can be considered to be the opposite of this. It is living and focussing in real time deliberately, calmly and without judgement. It can be referred to as the ‘being mode’. Mindfulness enables the person to maximise positive reactions, emotions and responses in real time. Mindfulness is versatile so that it can be included in everyday life, mindfulness activities and meditation.

Core Features of Mindfulness

·       Observing

Observing involves observing your experiences from a perspective that is more direct and sensing (sensing/sensual mode) rather than an analytical/thinking mindset/mode. It is about focussing on sensing the experience rather than analysing it. It is good for mental health and can assist you with managing feelings. Mindfulness focusses attention to thoughts, feelings and bodily sensations such as: touch, sight, hearing, smell, and taste.

·       Describing

Describing relates to the observation of noticing the finer details. It is the ability to describe the situation, emotion or object in considerable detail using a variety of adjectives.

·       Participating Fully

The aim is to the whole of the situation or experiences without missing anything. Notice all aspects of the task and carry it out with full focus and care.

·       Being Non-Judgemental

The ability to be non-judgemental within the experience. Prolonged emotional distress often relates to the urge to either control or avoid a particular experience.  When being mindful, attempts are made to avoid evaluation or judgement, and no attempt is made to control or avoid an experience in real time.  It is about simply accepting the experience as what it is without emotion. This takes time and can be challenging.

·       Focus on one thing at a time

Focus should be placed on one thing at a time.  It focuses on identifying when  you have drifted off from the thought pattern and being able to return to observing  and sensing within your main  thought  pattern.  Acknowledge it has happened and return to your experience.

Journal Questions

In 100 words or less, explain what Mindfulness is in your own words.

Identify and explain 3 of the core mindfulness features.

What are the benefits of mindfulness?

Mindfulness teaches you to identify if you are distracted and enables you to refocus on the now.

It can benefit day to day activities, work, relationships and wellbeing. See the following list for more info:

·       Sleep can be enhanced by preventing the distracting thoughts that get in the way

·       Healthy Eating by improving your relationship with food by focusing on the experience

·       Concentration can be improved as mindfulness helps you to focus on the now moment.

·       Memory is improved as our distraction is decreased and we focus on the experienced going on in real time.

·       Relationships can be improved through mindfulness. It improves your focus, and potentially improves your focus and interaction with the people around you when sharing the experience.

·       Mental Health & Wellbeing can be improved through mindfulness.  It decreases the focus on your stressful thoughts and negative feelings. It separates your thoughts and how you react.  As a result, the now moment will be the main focus of the thoughts rather than he negativity. In the heat of the moment, judging yourself or actions can be a genuine issue, mindfulness assists by separating the heated judgment to help remain calm.