The Basics

So what is mindfulness, anyway? According to the Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, mindfulness means “maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens.” It means being present, paying attention to our thoughts and surroundings, and living in the present moment.

The people at Headspace (a fantastic meditation app) maintain that mindfulness is “the quality of being present and fully engaged with whatever we’re doing at the moment — free from distraction or judgment, and aware of our thoughts and feelings without getting caught up in them.”

Why is it important?

According to Headspace, when we practice mindfulness, we are “teaching ourselves to live more mindfully — in the present, taking a breath, not beholden to reactive thoughts and feelings — which is particularly helpful when faced with challenging circumstances or difficult situations.” It’s important to note that mindfulness doesn’t take away stress—it simply allows you to better manage it. Mindfulness can benefit us physically, socially, and psychologically. Mindfulness has proven to boost immune systems, improve sleep quality, increase positive emotions, combat feelings of depression, increase focus, and foster resilience and compassion.

How to do it well

There are many ways to cultivate mindfulness, not just through meditation. Jon Kabat-Zinn emphasizes that “it’s about living your life as if it really mattered, moment by moment by moment by moment.”

Here are some ways to put that into practice:

Pay attention to your breathing
Notice the sights, sounds, and smells around you
Remember that your thoughts and feelings are temporary
Find moments throughout the day to tune into your mind and body
Practice gratitude

Visit this list for additional ideas to help you be more mindful