Mindfulness: what is it and how to practice it daily?
Find out what mindfulness is and how to incorporate it into your routine.
The word mindfulness is on the lips of all coaches and health professionals. It appears in all women's magazines, newspapers and scientific articles.
Yoga teachers use it as a tool to awaken consciousness. Nutritionists use it as a practice to connect with their meals. Great leaders practice it in their offices.
Everyone wants to incorporate it into their routine.
For such a celebrated habit to become second nature, it's important to really understand what it is, what it's for, the effects it can have, and ways to practice it on a daily basis .
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a Buddhist meditative practice. It was born in the heart of Asia and was brought to Europe in the middle of the last century by Ticht Nat Hanh, author of more than 20 books on wellness, health and spirituality.
The practice is very simple : focus our full attention on a task. It can be in breathing, it can be in the act of walking, cooking, eating, washing dishes, talking, writing, drawing, singing, knitting, and even browsing a social network...
Because of its versatility , because of its application anywhere and at any time of the day, mindfulness is wonderful. It is a versatile, simple and very nutritious tool. Through the focus of our mind and all our senses in the present moment , we are able to experience the calm and tranquility that reside in not thinking elsewhere.
Thinking is an indispensable tool for living in Western society. Mindfulness teaches us to use thoughts to be effective and not distract us. It teaches us to tame the mind in order to use its energy correctly.
What are the benefits of Mindfulness?
Every day new scientific studies come out talking about the wonderful benefits of mindfulness on the body, mind and emotions:
- calms the mind, through the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system,
- balances emotions, through breathing,
- rejuvenates the neurons of the brain,
- improves sleep reconciliation,
- improves memory and concentration,
- it can facilitate digestion (in case of practicing mindfuleating),
- dispels depressive states, through the practice of gratitude,
- develops unconditional love , compassion and forgiveness,
- connects us more intimately and authentically with the people around us,
- improves interpersonal relationships,
- harmonizes the body with the mind and emotions...
Mindfulness is a practice that can bring positive effects in any area of life. Through mental focus, the exercise of full attention and gratitude , this tool is perfect for living a life full of meaning and wisdom, well-being and inner calm.
Tips to apply it on a daily basis.
As we have said before, mindfulness can be applied to all tasks of the day . When fully focused, with mind and body fully attuned, the transformative power of mindfulness unfolds in all its splendor—anything becomes beautiful and sacred. Any moment is a source of pure gratitude.
You can take three conscious breaths, and brush your teeth without thinking about anything else. You can do it by putting on makeup. Being aware of each gesture, drawing your face with kindness and softness.
You can practice mindfulness when dressing, feeling the textures of the different clothes enveloping your body. You can do it when walking to work, being aware of the entire sole of the foot with each step...
The most important thing, when incorporating this new habit, is that you do it little by little . One behind the other. You can start with the practice of mindfulness when washing the dishes. Repeat it daily. When you feel that it is already part of you, then you can incorporate a new task. Take the time and space to turn each micro habit into a small miracle. Make each gesture as natural and fluid as the act of breathing (even this act can be practiced with awareness and mindfulness ).
Every process requires time and a little effort. The important thing is that you generate habits so extremely easy and small that the difficult thing is not to do them.
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