What mindfulness is and isn’t?

Mindfulness is a practice that has gained traction over the past few years as more and more research has supported its effectiveness in helping to treat anxiety, depression, build resiliency and emotional intelligence, along with many other benefits.  It can be hard to discern what mindfulness is and isn’t about, though, on a general level, it is just about being in the present moment just as it is without labeling or judging the experience.

The mindfulness approach is not to clear your mind or bring you away from the present moment (as is common in meditation) but instead to allow yourself to be part of the here-and-now.  Thoughts and emotions are acknowledged and welcome, though they are not clung to or pushed away as they are just an element of your current experience.  When practicing being mindful, you can choose what elements you give attention to—whether that’s noises and sounds around you, bodily sensations, the breath, or anything else that shows up at the moment.  Because we are human, thoughts and emotions are typically always a component of our immediate worlds; through observing them mindfully, we can examine their presence without letting them “run the show.” When we witness our internal experiences instead of becoming swept up by them, we become better at problem-solving and determining rational ways to respond vs. reacting irrationally.

Mindfulness is a grounding technique that can help bring you closer to the facts of existence (such as the reality of a situation vs. an emotional interpretation).  There is typically a focal point, such as the breath, that helps anchor you to the moment you are in a while to notice the ebbs and flows of emotions, thoughts, sensations, etc.  Mindfulness is a bit like sailing—you embrace that you are in the ocean, riding through waves; at the same time, you can shift your focus on any element in your experience—the wind, which direction you sail, the smell of the ocean, etc. 

If you want to try out mindfulness for yourself, there are many ways to do so!  You can try out guided scripts on youtube or in apps such as Calm or Headspace.  Mindfulness is a skill—so it’s something that you can strengthen the more you practice.  Find whatever works for you and see how it feels!