In recent years, mindfulness has become a popular buzzword and topic with many people working to be more mindful and improve their mental health. But what does mindfulness even mean?

Being mindful or mindfulness is a mental state of mind we can achieve if we focus on our thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations in the present moment. It heavily involves us paying attention to what’s happening within and around us in a calm, non-judgmental manner.

How does mindfulness improve mental health? One of the key ways is by reducing anxiety and depression. When we’re anxious or depressed, our thoughts focus on past or future issues causing us to feel overwhelmed and stressed. Practicing mindfulness means we’re able to shift our focus to the present moment and observe how we’re feeling without getting caught up in those emotions. In short, mindfulness allows us to see things clearly and respond to situations in a more controlled manner.

As you may have guessed, mindfulness benefits us through its ability to improve our emotional regulation. Depending on your upbringing, you may or may not have learned how to regulate your emotions, and when we’re not in control of them, we may react in harmful ways to both ourselves and those around us. Staying in a mindful state allows us to recognize and understand our emotions without letting them take over. Ultimately, it helps us to feel more in control which reduces stress and improves our day-to-day life.

And finally, if you’re working towards building stronger relationships, mindfulness helps you get a shoe in so to speak. When we’re mindful and listening in the present moments, we’re more attentive. We’re compassionate, empathetic, and able to hear people clearly. This allows for deep connection and fostering healthy relationships and friendships.

Mindfulness isn’t something you can turn off and on again. It’s a daily commitment to learn, grow, and love yourself in a non-judgmental way. By focusing on your next breath, the present moment, and learning to see our thoughts and feelings without condemning them as “bad” or “I shouldn’t feel like this'', we’re reducing anxiety and drastically improving our mental health.

Wanting to get started in your journey but unsure where to start? Let’s talk about next steps together.