Have you ever felt trapped in moments of distraction? Or felt like you weren't 100% present at a certain moment? Like autopilot, those moments when we end up doing things without even realizing it, and when we do, the day is already over!
Remember when you sat down to study for a test and, without expecting it, your mind wandered from the book to a song? Or when you stared at the computer screen for a few seconds, not knowing what to do, even with a busy workday?
We don't even need to blame our cell phones to justify our distractions; they can happen in many different ways. But the practice of Mindfulness has come to show that there are ways to refocus our attention on the task we need to do during these moments of distraction.
So, what exactly is Mindfulness?
To make it easier to understand, it's worth remembering that mindfulness is also called full attention. Here, the name says a lot: it's the practice of being in the present moment as consciously as possible, attentive to each situation, movement, and breath.
We know it's quite complicated, but it's the practice of letting go of all distractions, external thoughts, and past feelings, and living in the present situation: feeling, listening, and fully experiencing the moment.
And how do I do the exercises?
There are techniques, exercises, and also many guided practice videos to show you how to get started. But in the beginning, it's important to know that exercise is intentional and will require dedication and self-control to achieve results.
A good way to start is with breathing exercises, as they help connect our actions to our thoughts. And it doesn't even need to be a super elaborate exercise because from the moment you start paying more attention to your breathing, you've already begun the exercise.
Want to see how it works? Take a few minutes to look at the image and inhale and exhale when the image shows you:
What are the benefits?
Now that you know a little more about mindfulness, take a look at the main benefits for your routine and your health:
- It helps develop emotional intelligence and empathy;
- It improves your self-awareness;
- It increases your ability to concentrate;
- It helps to control stress and anxiety;
- It reduces the risk of insomnia;
- It improves personal relationships;
- Your brain doesn't age that fast;
- It increases your memory capacity;
- It reduces negative thoughts and their impact;
- And it gives your creativity the boost it needs!
A little something to help you out!
If you're one of those people who LOVES listening to music to help you concentrate while doing your tasks, we have the perfect gift! We've put together a playlist that will help you start practicing mindfulness and stay focused while doing your daily tasks ✨
