The power of mindfulness: Benefits for mental and physical health

In the hustle and bustle of today’s lifestyle, peace has become the real wealth. We are always busy constantly bombarding ourselves with unwanted thoughts and therefore overthinking. It is very important to calm down, breathe, energise, focus on the present, and then continue with life. Mindfulness is one such practice being done for years. Mindfulness facilitates peace and calmness, devoting time to mindfulness can reveal excellent results in life. 

Understanding mindfulness and its practice

Mindfulness is being in the present moment fully, it is done by stabilising our mind and giving it a rest by freeing it from all the unnecessary thoughts. Our minds naturally keep travelling to the past or future, but mindfulness helps us  bring our attention back to the present. Our brain is a very complex organ, it has the control of our whole body, it determines how your body feels about yourself. 

What is mindfulness?

1. Basic human ability to be aware of our surroundings.
2. We all have this ability, but regular practice strengthens it.
3. It involves focussing on our senses (sight, sound, touch, taste and smell), including thoughts and feelings.
4. It provides peace, devoting some time to practise mindfulness can increase concentration and memory.

How to practise mindfulness?

To initiate mindfulness you can follow these simple and easy steps as a beginner:

1. Sit in a quiet area, in a garden where there is no noise or even at your home to avoid distraction.
2. Start focusing on your breath first. Inhale and exhale and focus on the same.
3. Bring back your mind to focusing on your target, if you find it wandering somewhere else. It will be difficult initially but slowly you can make progress.
4. Repeat this process again and again. You can set a duration for practising mindfulness everyday.
5. There are applications and even videos on the internet on your smart devices which help in this process and track the progress as well.

There are many other ways to practise mindfulness, such as mindful eating, mindful walking, colouring or doodling as well, you can find what interests you, there are also therapies which are based on the principle of mindfulness.

Health benefits of mindfulness

There are many benefits of mindfulness, it is an easy and inexpensive practise and does not cost anything, it can be done simply at home even in your comfort zones. Here are some of the benefits of being mindful:

1. Mindfulness helps to reduce stress, anxiety and depression.
2. It can lower blood pressure and improve sleep.
3. It helps improve quality of life and mental health.
4. It increases focus, concentration, and memory.
5. It also creates a sense of self awareness.
6. It also makes you make healthier choices because of an increased sense of understanding.

Mindfulness is a practice that facilitates a greater sense of well-being. It allows you to approach life with more clarity, focus, and compassion, leading to a more fulfilling and enriching experience.

Mindfulness activities and exercises

Being mindful is a healthy habit. We have resorted to such busy lifestyle in order to earn wealth and happiness, but we often forget that the greater glory lies in nothing but peace and acceptance, knowing that you are enough and being kind to yourself. There are many ways to incorporate mindfulness into your lifestyle:

1. Guided meditation: It is a practice of mindfulness, where you get instructions from someone on how to meditate and where to focus.
2. Body scan meditation: Body scan meditation: In this, you focus your attention on different parts of your body one after the other, noticing any physical sensations without judgement, it increases awareness about your own body.
3. Mindful eating: Savouring each and every bite you put in your mouth, noticing the colour, texture, taste and smell. It also allows you to make healthier choices in terms of the food you consume.
4. Breathing exercises: Inhaling and exhaling and focusing on the same without thinking about anything else.
5. Journaling: It is writing down your experiences, thoughts and feelings and releasing them, it helps to release tension and stress.
6. Yoga: Yoga helps you be there at the present moment and also facilitates fitness.

Conclusion 

Our mind is a storehouse of thoughts, it keeps running throughout the day. Practising mindfulness gives it a much needed rest. It teaches us to be kind to ourselves and others. By incorporating mindfulness practices into your routine, you can cultivate greater peace, focus, and self-awareness. Mindfulness is a very simple task, but it is easier said than done, it requires consistency and patience to reveal its magical results.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mindfulness, and how can I practise it?

Mindfulness is being in the present moment fully, it is done by stabilising our mind and giving it a rest by freeing it from all the unnecessary thoughts. Our minds naturally keep travelling to the past or future, but mindfulness helps us  bring our attention back to the present.

There are so many different ways and exercises through which you can practise mindfulness:

1. Yoga
2. Mindful breathing
3. Guided meditation
4. Body scan meditation
5. Mindful eating
6. Mindful walking
7. Journaling

How does mindfulness improve mental health?

Mindfulness helps improve mental health in the following ways:

1. Reduces stress and anxiety
2. Improves self awareness
3. Helps regulate emotions
4. Increased focus and concentration
5. Creates a sense of acceptance and belief.

Are there physical health benefits to mindfulness?

Yes, there are many physical benefits to mindfulness:

1. Improves the sleep quality
2. Pain management
3. Reduces tension and headaches
4. Helps make healthier life choices

How can I incorporate mindfulness into my daily routine?

There are many ways in which you can incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine:

1. Yoga
2. Mindful breathing
3. Guided meditation
4. Body scan meditation
5. Mindful eating
6. Mindful walking
7. Journaling

Can mindfulness help with stress management?

Yes absolutely, mindfulness helps with stress management.

1. It helps increase awareness of our surroundings and even within our body.
2. It helps regulate emotions
3. It increases focus in the present rather than wandering in the past or future.
4. It inculcates acceptance and the ability to be kind to ourselves irrespective of anything.