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“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. If you are attentive, you will see it.” –Thich Nhat Hanh

Chances are you’ve heard the term mindfulness tossed around.

Maybe you’ve heard it on a show or perhaps someone you know has described themselves as “being mindful.” Some might primarily think of it as a state of mind; others, as a practice. Regardless, millennials really need this in their everyday lives.

Mindfulness is based on the tenets of Buddhism and Eastern philosophy. Buddha used the technique to attain nirvana (i.e., an idyllic place in which there is no suffering).

Mindfulness is certainly not a new concept. The way people are embracing this lifestyle has made its way into all walks of life. According to a recent article in Time magazine, The Mindful Revolution, there are now thousands of certified Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction instructors in more than 30 countries. Millennials can benefit because it is simply a way to relax by noticing your breathing, thoughts, and surroundings.

What Is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a psychological state where the focus is on awareness of the present; while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations rather than judging those thoughts and feelings.

The crux of this way of thinking is to avoid thinking about the past or the future, but rather, to live in the “now.”

Here’s a classic example of the mind when it is not mindful or aware of the present moment:

“Have you ever stopped at a red light while driving and suddenly had the awareness that you were driving, with no recollection of your drive up to that point?”

Chances are you got to where you were going with no recollection because your mind was thinking about 10 other things.

What am I going to eat for dinner? Was my coworker annoyed with me today? I need new clothes. I hope I remember to pay my credit card bill.

How Do You Become Mindful?

Mindfulness can be practiced at any time, anywhere, while doing anything.

Intentional paying attention to the moment without judging it or holding on to it is all that is needed.

Often, when people are trying to be more present their mind may wander. So, they toss out the whole idea and convince themselves they cannot be mindful.

The good news is, you will think about things other than the present moment dozens of times during a mindfulness practice, that’s okay. 

The trick is to stay calm, take deep breathes and remind yourself that this is normal.

Then, continue practicing while being patient and, most of all, nonjudgmental with yourself. We could all benefit from doing things mindfully, don’t you think?

Goals of Mindfulness Practice

Reduce Suffering

Decrease Tension and Stress

Regulate Emotional Response

Increase Happiness

Increase Distress Tolerance

Mindfulness means you are practicing being more present in your life. You are even being more present in the lives of those you love. When you are being mindful there is less room for stress because your living for right now.

To be mindful is to be aware of yourself being alive – to be fully present to yourself and life happening within and around you.

To be mindful is to awaken from the sleep of your obsessive thinking in your head, to the wakefulness of the sensations in your body.

Practice being mindful at least once a day for ten minutes and eventually it will become easier to block out stressful, unhelpful thoughts. Get on board with the mindful revolution millennials; you won’t be sorry.

A 15 Minute Mindfulness Practice

This is a Jon-Kabat Zinn inspired Mindfulness Meditation by Vicki Panagotacos. As you listen you learn to value the transient nature of life and realize that you can tolerate anything for the moment. This video offers you the ability to refocus your thoughts.
source

More Resources

• Mindfulness Exercise Cards
• Mindfulness Journal Printable’s
• Help others be more mindful: Mindfulness Gift Box
• Color your way to mindfulness: Mindful Coloring
• Learn Mindfulness From One Of The Best: Jon Kabat-Zinn

How do you practice mindfulness? Tell me all about the mindfulness techniques you like most in the comments below.