MICHELLE KEENAN empowers people and organisations to achieve optimal well-being by providing customised wellness coaching programmes tailored to their unique goals.
Mindfulness is a word most of us are familiar with, but do you know what it really means?
At its heart, mindfulness is simply the practice of paying attention to the present moment, on purpose and without judgment.
That means noticing what you’re doing, how you’re feeling, and what’s happening around you, and just being present with it, without racing ahead to the next thing on your to-do list or getting stuck in yesterday’s worries.
Why does this even matter? Well, most of us spend a lot of time on autopilot, rushing through our days, distracted and disconnected, and that can leave us feeling stressed, anxious, and overwhelmed.
Research shows regular mindfulness practice can reduce stress, improve sleep, boost focus and concentration, and help with anxiety and low mood.
It increases our capacity to deal with the unexpected things life has a habit of throwing at us, and improves our resilience.
It can also make everyday life feel a bit richer – more presence with your kids, more enjoyment in your meals, more appreciation of the little moments we often miss because we’re mentally somewhere else while they’re going on.
To get started, you don’t need anything fancy, and it doesn’t need to take up much time.
Focus on your breath for a minute or two. Really taste your morning cuppa.
Notice the sensation of your feet on the ground while walking. Pause when you’re closing the curtains and admire the sunset. You can choose to be mindful any moment of any day.
You can also try a guided meditation (there are plenty of apps – Insight Timer is my personal favourite, or you can find something on YouTube), or look for a local course or mindfulness group. Like anything, it gets easier with practice.
Mindfulness isn’t about emptying your mind or getting it “right” – it’s about gently bringing your attention back to ‘now’, again and again.
You might be surprised at the difference it makes.
