What's Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a non-judgmental, compassionate and purposeful awareness of the present moment. Put simply, it's paying attention with kindness to what is occurring in your surroundings as well as internally (sensations, feelings, emotions and thoughts).
Can such a simple practice really be life changing?
Yes!
So often, our own thoughts and beliefs create the suffering or dissatisfaction we feel about a particular situation, or life in general.
Evidence has shown us that what we resist, persists so when we practice mindfulness, we practice accepting what is here right now. We allow the past to stay in the past, the future to stay in the future, and bring awareness to what is here, right now, without judgment by noticing thoughts and bodily sensations but not attaching ourselves to them or giving them any meaning.
in doing so, we are able to see the situation of our life clearly, make choices that take us in a better direction and seek the support we need.
Mindfulness allows us to appreciate the moments that bring us joy, and equally rest in the knowing that those that bring us anguish or difficulty are not permanent - we learn to ride the waves.
Once we build the confidence to deal with our emotions and life in all its messy glory head on, we no longer need to worry about what may happen, we can let go of control and the tension that has lived permanently inside can melt away. We trust life, and most importantly, we trust ourself.
What is meditation?
What is meditation?
Meditation is a mindfulness practice that allows us to practice bringing our attention back to the present moment. Often people think they're doing it wrong because they're thinking during meditation - but I want to reassure you the goal isn't to stop thinking, it's to practice bringing our attention back to the present when we do.
Often, meditation uses the breath or another focus point (like sound) to anchor us to the present moment when our mind wanders (which it inevitably does).
Practicing meditation regularly can have physical and emotional benefits like:
- stress reduction (including reducing the physical inflammation associated with stress)
- reduced anxiety
- improved coping
- decreased reactivity
- improved mood including helping with feelings of depression
- increased self-awareness
- cognitive effects like improved attention and memory
- increased compassion and self-compassion
- improved sleep
- controlling pain
- decreased blood pressure.
You can practice mindfulness without meditation, but you can't meditate without mindfulness. Meditation practice increases benefits of mindfulness faster than without - it's like doing a workout for your mind.
However, it's not for everyone - if you're experiencing current active psychosis, have been instructed by a therapist or doctor not to meditate, experience deep depressive states, experience panic attacks and mindfulness increases symptoms, you have active PTSD symptoms or you start meditating and psychological symptoms worsen - then now isn't the best time to meditate. Speak to your healthcare professional and reach out when they believe you're ready.
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