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The Benefits of Mindfulness: How to Practice It in Your Daily Life
Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention to the present. When you’re mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance without judging them as good or bad.
The benefits of mindfulness have been widely studied and include everything from better concentration to less anxiety and depression.
What Is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a way of paying attention to the present moment. It’s about intentionally focusing on your actions without being distracted by your thoughts or feelings. For example, to practice mindfulness, you might focus on your breath or notice what’s happening around you. You can do it at any time, whether sitting in class or walking down the street — the important thing is that you’re aware of what’s happening inside and outside of yourself at that moment.
Mindfulness has been shown to reduce stress and anxiety as well as improve overall health and well-being. For example, people who practice mindfulness have a lower blood pressure than those who don’t, according to research from the UCLA School of Nursing (2013). And one study found that practicing yoga for just 26 weeks improved mood among women with breast cancer (McEvoy et al., 2014).
