*If you need help, or you are in an emergency or crisis, visit “Support Resources“.*
What Is Mindfulness?
When you are mindful, you are aware of what is going on “here-and-now”. So, the opposite of mindfulness would be driving from work to home, pulling into the driveway, and realizing you don’t remember how you got there – you were lost in your thoughts.
With mindfulness, we very much live in the “present moment”, so we are able to notice and even label what’s going on all around us or what is going on inside our bodies and minds. A big benefit of practicing mindfulness is a calmer mind and improved mental wellbeing overall.
16 Mindfulness Techniques
**adapted from Sarah Beach
- Breathe – pay attention to your breath
- Change it up – change up your routine or do something you would not normally do
- Watch your words – speak kindly and empathetically; your words are powerful and hold a lot of energy
- Count your blessings – practice gratitude
- Find the Awesome – be in awe of creations, big or small
- Smile – smiling releases endorphins
- Set intentions – set goals and enjoy the process; celebrate your successes, big or small
- Take breaks throughout the day
- Let it be – practice “letting go”
- Sleep on it – practice healthy sleep hygiene
- Know your location – enjoy the moment, the here-and-now
- Expect stress – break down your worry-list into smaller parts, “from the Kraken into sushi pieces”
- Write it down – journal
- Nurture friendships – socialize with people who lift you up
- Play – do what gives you pleasure, such as exercise, draw, or play with children or pets
- Think happy thoughts – use compassionate and positive self-talk, incl. self-affirmations and mantras
