What Is Mindfulness?

By meGan Frey wolFe

We have been living through very challenging times. Regardless of your age and life situation, the pandemic has taken a toll on all of us. According to a recent article in Nature, more than 42 percent of people surveyed by the U.S. Census Bureau reported symptoms of anxiety and depression in December, and psychologists don’t see the number going down any time soon.

Whether you are a retired person who is craving travel and time with friends, or an overworked parent who is juggling parenting, remote instruction and their own career, we are being challenged in ways we could have never foreseen, leaving us disconnected, isolated or depleted. defaulting to autopilot, survival mode or simply “waiting until it’s over?” This is no way to live. Where is our joy in living? Fortunately, there are ways to take control and be in the present moment, for our own wellness, and for those we love.

In its simplest terms, mindfulness is the skill of being present in the moment. The practice of mindfulness gives us the ability to bring our awareness to the here and now. We all deserve to live a more fulfilled and joyful life. By integrating mindfulness into our plan for self-care, we can become more present, decrease stress and anxiety and bring more happiness, clarity and peace to our day-to-day lives.

Traditionally, when we think of wellness, a healthy diet and daily exercise comes to mind, but are we also taking care of our emotional health? Or are we Doesn’t that sound wonderful?

many significant psychological, cognitive and physical benefits. In an article published by the American Psychological Association, mindfulness is proven to reduce stress, worry and anxiety, while increasing focus, calmness, engagement, relationships and our overall well-being.

Mindfulness is extremely powerful. For all ages, it takes us beyond coping and making do. Mindfulness techniques help us grow, flourish, thrive and live more compassionate, fulfilled lives. Mindfulness is not complicated; we just have to remember to practice.

FIND YOUR BREATH In times of stress, autopilot, exhaustion and transition, find your breath. Simply pause, close your eyes, unclench your jaw, relax your shoulders and find your deepest breath. Our breath grounds us. Stay here for 10 breaths or longer. Our breath is our anchor. Be present here without needing to hurry things along or move on to the next part of your day.

TAKE A MINDFUL WALK Here you will be present while walking. This is one of my favorite things to do but be sure to leave the AirPods at home. Connecting with movement and nature is a great way to practice mindfulness, and it’s free! To walk mindfully, focus your attention on the actual experience of walking. Feel the ground beneath you as you take each step. Feel your muscles working, the rhythm of your breath. Listen and notice what this feels like. Connect to your senses as you do this. Notice the sights, the sounds, the smells, the feel of the world as you walk.

PRACTICE SELF-COMPASSION It can be easy to show compassion and kindness to others. We are often overly critical and judgmental when it comes to ourselves. This is a great exercise that touches upon the importance of compassion and mindfulness. I want you to close your eyes and imagine a loved one standing in front of you. They are telling you five things they love about you. Listen, and let it soak in. You could even write them down and keep them someplace to revisit. How did this make you feel? This is a great first step in turning that compassion inwards, to support your own emotional development and acceptance.

As you can see, mindfulness is not just a meditation. By making small but meaningful changes in your daily life, you can significantly improve your overall well-being. And who doesn’t need that? When we take the time to connect with our most inner selves, everyone benefits.

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I PRACTICE? Start small! It must feel good to you. First, try one of the practices above. Then try to repeat it once a day. Eventually you will find yourself practicing many times throughout the day. It will become an enjoyable and natural part of your everyday life.

Investing in ourselves for this kind of inner work can feel uncomfortable because it’s not something we normally do. Stick with it! Mindfulness is very personal and does not have a straight path, but the results can be life changing.

Need help getting started? Reach out to Megan at megan@modernwellnessmw.com.

Megan Frey Wolfe, BA, MS, is a certified mindfulness and meditation practitioner. She is also a special education teacher with a degree in psychology. Learn more by visiting www.modernwellnessmw.com and be sure to inquire about a free 30-minute session.

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