Mindfulness is becoming more popular than ever — but this doesn’t mean that everyone is using it the right way. Are you using mindfulness correctly? Find out here!
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of being alert to the present moment, being in touch with what you’re feeling without any judgement. When you are mindful, you accept whatever thoughts or sensations you have. In the process, mindfulness is known for relieving stress, improving focus and enhancing self-awareness — among tons of other benefits.
How does mindfulness work?
Here’s how you can use mindfulness: choose a mindfulness activity that best suits your lifestyle. This could be a simple daily meditation or a more involved yoga class. Either way, you’re taking some time to ignore the external world and reflect within in a conscious, non-judgemental manner. But this is way easier said than done, and most beginners make mistakes. Here are 3 ways you can use mindfulness correctly.
How to use mindfulness correctly
#1 Do not zone out
Many people confuse mindfulness with zoning out. They think that meditation is about being “at peace” and equate that with having blank thoughts. That’s the complete opposite of mindfulness because it actually prevents you from reflecting and understanding yourself! Instead, stay attuned to the thoughts that you have. Listen to what’s going on in your head attentively. You don’t want to slip up on the details or skip over thoughts that are unpleasant. If you catch yourself zoning out or feeling distracted, try moving to a more quiet environment and refocus yourself. Staying attuned to your thoughts during mindfulness is key to reaping its benefits.
#2 Embrace discomfort
Some people think that mindfulness is all about relaxation. This means that they automatically skip over bad thoughts and instead, bask in the good ones. That’s the wrong technique! Mindfulness is actually about acknowledging your struggles and coming to terms with them in an objective manner — not ignoring your thoughts completely. Here’s how you can embrace discomfort with mindfulness: listen to your thoughts, regardless of whether they are good or bad. Be objective and patient with your thoughts — and acknowledge each and every one of them. If you hit a bad thought, break down your process. What is the situation? Why do I feel this way? How can I manage how I feel? By diving deep into your thought process, instead of ignoring issues completely, you can reap the benefits of mindfulness.
#3 Be consistent
Mindfulness is often considered a hobby. For example, people occasionally go for yoga or meditation classes. The issue with considering mindfulness as a hobby is that people don’t have a schedule for it. They don’t stick to it, and it doesn’t form into a habit. Instead, mindfulness is practiced correctly when you are consistent with it. This doesn’t have to be a massive commitment — all you need is 5 minutes a day! Set aside a bit of time each day or week for mindfulness. This way, you’ll become more familiar with its techniques. You’ll also stand to reap the benefits of mindfulness in its entirety. Here’s how you can be more frequent with your mindfulness exercises. Use a mindfulness tool, like a Timeqube timer, to time your mindfulness sessions every day. This way, you can watch the clock while incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine. Now that you know how to use mindfulness correctly, give it a go today!
