You may have heard the term “Mindfulness” being used more and more in pop culture. So what is Mindfulness all about? Mindfulness is about our ability to stop and notice. It is awareness of ourselves and our surroundings. It is about our journey towards becoming an observer of our inner and outer world and an opportunity to release our judgements.
One of the ways that helps me become more mindful is to use my five senses to become more grounded and present in the here and now. For example, I can stop what I am doing and direct my attention to how it feels to have the chair I am sitting in hold up my body (touch). I then look around the room and see the details in a painting (sight). I listen to hear noises around me (sound). I take a deep breath and smell what is near me (smell), and for fun I can pop a peppermint in my mouth (taste) and delight in the flavor. Now I am in the now, I am not lost in thought about the past or future, I am simple here. Mindfulness says I don’t need to change anything; I am just paying attention on purpose.
Written by: Cara Wheeler, PsyD
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