All of us are facing an interesting time, the so-called “modern lifestyle” where we almost don’t have any time to feel or think about anything that is out of our routine. Obviously, we suffer consequences for living this modern lifestyle, and as result, many are having uncomfortable symptoms that come together with it. Has been said and proven that mindfulness is a very positive tool for us to decompress from our busy and stressful lives and gives us a sense of connection and belonging.

 

The number of people suffering from depression, anxiety, and having suicidal thoughts are growing tremendously, and the discussions about the causes of it are many. In this article, I would like to point that the lifestyle we are living in nowadays should be taken into consideration as the main factor. The lack of connection, joy, passion, and enthusiasm about our lives is leading our society to an arduous moment, where many of us are suffering from anxiety, fear, and depression.

 

We are unconsciously choosing to not face our emotions, and the way we do that is through compulsive behaviors, such as eating, shopping, using our phones, and excessive working. Those compulsive and unconscious behaviors are numbing devices that creates a layer around us, as a pain killer, stopping us from feeling.

 

Many people are barely living their lives, working in jobs where they’re not fulfilled just for financial security, having boring relationships just out of convenience and fear of being alone, and doing things just because everybody does, and it is considered normal. However, has been unsustainable to live our lives in this way feeling disconnected from who we truly are and what is truly meaningful to us. An incredible tool that can support us to overcome those unconscious behaviors and patterns is a Meditation practice.

 

Mindfulness meditation can be very positive and beneficial when introduced to our daily activates and practiced with regularity. It can reduce stress, anxiety, and even increase your creativity. According to the article “What Meditation Can Do for Your Mind, Mood, and Heath” by Harvard (2014) the author mentions “A research review published in JAMA Internal Medicine in January 2014 found meditation helpful for relieving anxiety, pain, and depression. For depression, meditation was about as effective as an antidepressant.”.

 

In conclusion mindfulness meditation when practiced regularly can increase our lives quality by training our brains to focus its attention either in our breathing, the sounds around us our in daily activity such as washing dished fully present. When we bring our attention to present moment experiences, we reduce symptoms of anxiety, depression, stress, and develop a sense of meaning and connection to our present moment experiences.

 

 

Here are 5 practical ways that you can practice mindfulness:

 

1. Focus your attention to your breathing feeling the air coming in and out of your lungs;
2. Focus your attention to the sounds around you noticing what you can hear;
3. Eat mindfully by paying attention to each bite while you’re enjoying a meal;
4. Walk mindfully by paying attention to each step and feeling your foot in contact with the ground;
5. Wash your hand fully present by paying attention to how your hands feel;

 

Article by Jessica Multini