Did you know practising mindfulness can improve your mental health?
Quietening a busy mind and mastering the ability to be fully present in the moment has numerous benefits according to leading mindfulness research. From decreased stress and sadness to increased levels of focus and happiness, here’s what you need to know to get started on your mindfulness journey.
Defining mindfulness
The practice of mindfulness has been around for thousands of years with roots in Buddhist meditation, entering the Western mainstream in the 1970s when professor Jon Kabat-Zinn developed the “Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction” (MBSR) program at the University of Massachusetts Medical Centre.
Using a combination of meditation, body awareness and yoga, these practices aim to help you be present and fully engaged with whatever we’re doing at the moment — free from distraction or judgement, and aware of our thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them.
How to be mindful
Mindfulness is a way of living, not a temporary state of mind – where you’re able to step back and be present in a situation.
Whilst mindfulness doesn’t eliminate stress, it does allow you to become aware of your thoughts and emotions that arise because of these situations. Awareness provides you with choice in how you’ll handle the situation – whether that be approaching it with empathy and understanding, or keeping your cool.
Here are our top tips to help you get started on your mindfulness journey:
- Bring awareness to your daily life. Consider the sounds, smells, and colours around you.
- Pay attention to your breath. Breathe in deeply and breathe out slowly, being aware of your body and how you’re feeling.
- Practice. Meditation apps such as Headspace are a helpful way to get started. Whilst at first meditation helps you to become present temporarily, overtime practising meditation will help you to develop the ability to be present throughout the day.
- Remember that you can practice mindfulness exercises anywhere, anytime! You can practice mindfulness for one or two minutes on your commute home, or if you work in an office, at your desk at work.
A happier, healthier you with Headspace
The good news is you don’t have to be an expert to experience the benefits of practising mindfulness and meditation in your daily routine.
That’s why we’ve recently partnered with Headspace – a leader in mindfulness and meditation – to offer Employment Hero users two months free on any three-month Headspace subscription. Available now in the Benefits tab, start accessing practical mindfulness and mental training that covers everything from stress, sleep, movement and so much more.
