As the world becomes an increasingly stressful place to live in, mental health is increasingly becoming an issue of concern. More and more people are suffering from mental health ailments, such as anxiety and depression.
However, you just cannot tough it out. Your mind needs the same care and attention that you give your body through exercise and eating well. Mindfulness is one of the best ways of taking care of your mental health. Here is what you need to know about it.
What Does It Mean to Be Mindful?
Being mindful is the conscious effort of keeping your thoughts in the present, not thinking about the past or the future, and being non-judgmental about your thoughts.
To be mindful means that you are in a state where both your mind and body are entirely in the present. This means that you are not in a state where your thoughts are wandering. When you find your thoughts veering off from the present, you consciously revert them to the present without judging them.
To be mindful means that you are intentional with your thoughts and actions. In daily life, this will be impactful in a significant way. For example, you will be less susceptible to distractions when you are trying to accomplish a task. Whenever you find yourself sucked into anything else, you will simply remind yourself of your purpose.
Being mindful will also allow you to avoid bouts of anxiety and depression. In case you have an upcoming event or project that is causing you to be anxious, being mindful of that thought and bringing yourself to the present and doing all you can to make that meeting a success will allow you to avoid anxiety.
Similarly, if you find your thoughts going back to painful events in your past, thereby triggering feelings of depression, being mindful of those thoughts and bringing your mind back to the present will allow you to avoid stress.
Mindfulness, however, is something that you will have to practice every day. The moment you are not mindful is the moment you allow negative thoughts to have free reign over you. Consider looking into various mindful exercises to help you sharpen this skill.
Mindful Practices and Tips
Since mindfulness is a skill, you will need to hone it to enjoy its benefits. The following tips and practices will go a long way in promoting mindfulness:
- Be Non-Judgmental
Being mindful is all about being gentle and forgiving to yourself. You cannot achieve this when you are judgmental of yourself or others.
- Be Patient
Do not force things. Understand that you are only in control of your present actions. Do your best and let everything else fall in place. Let go of the urge to control what is beyond you.
- Be Welcoming to Change
Understand that you do not need to have all the answers. Always be receptive to changes and possibilities.
- Trust Yourself
You might not have all the answers, but trust yourself to make the right decisions, nonetheless. If you fall short, take responsibility and learn from it.
How to Create a Mindful Environment
It can be challenging to be mindful if you are living in an unfriendly environment. The following are some tips to create an enabling environment.
- Declutter
Physical clutter often results in mental confusion, and disarray causes anxiety. Try to keep your space clean and tidy.
- Set the Ambience
The correct use of lighting and scent can go a long way in putting you in a mindful state. Utilizing aromatherapy essential oils can be incredibly calming. Set the light in your room in a way that is calming to you. Of course, you do not want to run a high lighting bill; therefore, ensure that you look for electric suppliers with the best rates.
- Plants
Plants purify the air while being something that you can focus your thoughts on while meditating.
Benefits of Mindfulness
Being mindful is associated with the following benefits:
- Less susceptibility to stress
- Increased ability to deal with emotions
- Significant decrease in chronic pain
- Increased capacity for compassion
- Improved immune system
- Enhanced ability to experience moments with greater objectivity and clarity
- Increased productivity
Being mindful enhances the overall quality of your life, as you have greater control over your thoughts and emotions.
Closing Statement
Most people live their lives on autopilot, allowing sporadic thoughts to infiltrate their minds and influence their emotions. Essentially, you are giving your thoughts control over you. Mindfulness is a state of being where you are entirely in tune with the present moment. In addition to helping you avoid unnecessary thoughts, being mindful allows you to enjoy the highs and lows of the current moment in all its fullness and glory. Be mindful.