Mindfulness Techniques

Mindfulness is frequently used in meditation and certain kinds of therapy. Its benefits include lowering stress levels, reducing harmful ruminating, and protecting against depression and anxiety. Research even suggests that mindfulness can help people better cope with rejection and social isolation.

What is mindfulness, exactly? It is intentionally maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of yourself, your thoughts, emotions, sensations, through a gentle, friendly, curious lens. Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention without judging. We drop notions of right or wrong. We just notice what is, the way a compassionate helper would. If our brain begins rehashing past stories or imagining future scenarios, the practice of mindfulness guides you to notice that’s happening, then to bring your attention back to noticing the current state of sensations or emotions.

Since the 1980’s, thousands of studies have documented the physical and mental health benefits of mindfulness. For more mindfulness resources and information see this site.