Who needs mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a practice where the participant strives to be aware in the present moment of any thoughts, emotions, or sensations that appear without judgment.  It has copious benefits, including increased emotional intelligence and regulation, reduced anxiety and depressive symptoms, improved sleep and functioning of systems in the body, self-control, etc.

 As humans, we have normal tendencies to get stuck in the future (anxiety) or ruminate on past events (sometimes common in depression); in doing this, we deplete our energy reserves on things that have already happened or have yet to happen (or may never happen!).  Mindfulness brings us into what is--the moment we are in now. It allows us a chance to connect with ourselves and our immediate worlds, simultaneously giving us a break from the pull of the future and the past. 

Although mindfulness has shown to be valuable to most people, some may need this skill to find relief or progress in personal growth.  People who struggle with anxiety and/or depression generally find that mindfulness is an incredibly beneficial tool to decrease symptoms overall and manage emotional responses and those that unsuccessfully cope with emotions via escaping their reality.  However, it should be noted that some people who’ve endured trauma or use escape to stabilize emotions may not be well suited or ready for mindfulness; for some, mindfulness can trigger too much anxiety or bring up dormant emotions or beliefs that can overwhelm the participant.

Mindfulness can also be used in relational situations, such as during conflict with a spouse or during the many difficult moments that can show up in parenting.  Here, people can learn to metaphorically step back from the situation, analyzing the pieces (emotions, context, thoughts, etc.), and returning with a more thoughtful response vs. knee-jerk reaction.  This is also why children are great candidates for mindfulness, as it’s especially constructive to teach kids how to deal with their own emotions and respond in helpful ways.

Some mindfulness resources include apps, such as Headspace and Calm, and websites like www.mindful.org or www.mindfulnessexercises.com.  Find something that suits your needs and enjoy!