Mindfulness is the practice of being in the moment and noticing what is happening around you and inside you, both physically and emotionally.
Psychologists Matthew A. Killingsworth and Daniel T. Gilbert suggest that the average person spends “46.9% of their waking hours thinking about something other than what they are doing, and this mind-wandering typically makes them unhappy” (The Harvard Gazette).
Newer studies suggest this mind-wandering could be good for us IF we weren’t spending that time in rumination. Rumination is “repetitive and passive thoughts focused on the causes and effects of our distress” (verwellmind.com).
How can we stop this rumination? Being mindful is the quickest, cheapest most effective way to stop rumination, which in turn increases both happiness and emotional well-being.
When you think of being mindful, what’s the first thing you think of?
If we had to guess, it would be meditation! However, there are other ways of bringing mindfulness into your daily life!
Tip #6 for Emotional Wellness: Be Mindful
A few examples of mindfulness are (recommended by the National Institutes of Health):
- Take some deep breaths
- Take a stroll and clear your mind
- Practice mindful eating
- Be aware of your body
- Find mindfulness resources
Do not let the thought that you have to meditate to be mindful dampen your enthusiasm for this practice. Mindfulness is a chance to stop planning for the future or getting caught up in the past, and to be present in this moment without judgement.
When we are truly present, we are not stressed or worried. Taking a moment to be present before we act or speak gives us a chance to act versus react. When we are paying attention to mindfulness, we begin to see that nothing ever stays the same. Even in the most difficult times, we can trust that things will shift and change.
If you read each of the posts in this emotional wellness series, you will notice that the elements of emotional wellness overlap. For instance, taking time for yourself each day builds resilience, reduces stress, provides us with better sleep, and will assist us in coping with loss. One of the best ways to take time for yourself would be to practice mindfulness.
Ultimately, for most of us, emotional wellness is within our reach, but just as with our physical health, we have to work for it. We hope you take the time to implement one of these strategies and we wish you emotional wellness!
