Prioritizing mindfulness is high on many New Year’s Resolutions. It’s an age-old concept, but one that’s as valuable to modern souls as knowing how to operate a car or computer.
Many consider mindfulness as essential as breathing or eating, and fortunately, it’s often just as innate. It takes a gentle nudge to start your exploration and tap into a host of mental and physical benefits.
What Is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness refers to a state of keen awareness of the present moment. It requires recognizing sensory input and environmental cues while becoming aware of your thoughts and feelings.
Mindfulness isn’t the same as situational awareness, which focuses solely on external stimuli. Instead, the ancient practice of mindfulness considers internal factors as well. It recognizes the influence of a pounding headache or stress on your mood and mindset. It’s responsive instead of reactive, inviting you to consider positive coping strategies for your present situation.
For example, someone who isn’t mindful may try to push through head pain, rushing through their day and unwittingly causing an accident in their haste. Now, they have an additional problem. Someone behaving mindfully recognizes the influence their health and emotions have and takes greater precautions, avoiding frustrating mistakes.
Mindfulness Mental and Physical Benefits
Many people are committing to intentional mindfulness practices to better tap into both the internal and external benefits.
1. Lower Anxiety and Stress
From work to family responsibilities to financial pressures, it’s no wonder why 50 million Americans experience depression or anxiety disorders. Life comes with endless challenges, but regularly practicing mindfulness is a simple way to calm your mind.
The best way to clear the waters is to stop stirring them. Instead of sitting down — or walking, or practicing yoga — with the intent of focusing on your problem, concentrate on something you can control, like your breath or the slap of your feet against the pavement. Slow, deep breathing, whether or not you pair it with mindful physical movement, calms the physiological storm of stress that clouds your judgment.
You might be surprised by what insights emerge from the depths when you give them time and space to do so.
2. A Greater Sense of Agency
Your sense of agency refers to the deeply held belief that your actions can make a difference in the world. Without it, you can turn to nihilistic thinking that leads to depression and anxiety.
Mindfulness helps to develop this sense of agency by building a more secure foundation of self. Through mindful practices like yoga and meditation, you define your life philosophy and moral code. You determine your identity and boundaries as you become aware of the powerful impact of your actions.
3. Improved Dietary Habits
It’s easy to see the mental benefits of mindfulness, but this ancient practice has physical perks, too. One method of building mindfulness is to perform regular body scans, getting in touch with your physical sensations and their influence on your mood, mindset and behavior. Even something as simple as recognizing when you’re thirsty can cut down migraines. Responding mindfully to hunger is another minor change that can make a big difference, especially for neurodivergent folks who may ignore such cues until they become overwhelming.
You can also use mindfulness to improve your eating habits. For example, many people use mindful eating exercises to enjoy meals more despite often consuming less. Mindfully tuning into how you feel after certain meals helps when performing elimination diets. Identifying food allergies can make a huge difference in how you feel and function each day.
4. More Beneficial Movement
How many times have you started an exercise program only to drop it in a week or two? Either you don’t love it or find it too difficult to fit into your busy lifestyle. Mindfully exploring what leads you astray will help you stay on track in the future.
Mindfulness can encourage you to move more often in ways that feel natural and good.
Are you sore and stiff? There’s no need for a full yoga class — simply do a few stretches anytime, anywhere.
Do you prefer working out with friends rather than solo? Try a group fitness class or join a walking club.
Finding that long hours prevent going to the gym? Get your 10-minute calisthenics routines on point so that you can squeeze in body weight workouts on your breaks.
Tap Into the Benefits of Mindfulness
Mindfulness is free and accessible to anyone and offers a host of mental and physical perks. Take the time to slow your breathing, get in touch with your inner and outer worlds and tune into your senses.
