What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness, as stated by the American Psychological Association, is the “moment-to-moment awareness of one's experience without judgment”. 

It's more than Meditation

When people hear the phrase “mindfulness” they often think of meditation, but that’s merely one example. 

​Any moment in which you have a single focus, when you are aware of and awake to the moment without judging or critiquing it, can be considered mindfulness. Other mindfulness practices can include yoga, tai chi, walking, jogging, gardening, mindful eating, and many more.

​​From rock climbing to household chores

​Resilience Resources:
I experienced mindfulness for the first time many years ago while rock climbing. It gave me that moment-to-moment awareness. I could only think about one hand hold or my next foot placement at a time. Nothing else was on my mind except for the very next movement my body would take on this quest to get up the wall. 
                       
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​​Want to get started?

​Quick Bites – If You Only have a Minute

Deep Breaths - Consider taking 3 deep breaths, with a short hold of the breath before exhale.

Mindful Eating - During your next snack break eat very slowly, taking in the taste, smell and texture of your food.

Take a Walk - Go a little slower than usual, and see if you can pay attention to the sensations in your feet as you take each step. More here.

Calm.com - Head to calm.com for some sounds from nature and gorgeous landscape pics.

Meditation? 
There’s an App for that!

Mindkind Institute has an iPhone app with various meditations including loving kindness and body scans.

InsightTimer will let you see how many other people are meditating at the same time as you.  

Stop, Breathe and Think considers your mood and suggests meditations based on your inputs.

    What are the benefits?

     Studies have shown that mindfulness:

Mindfulness

Websites                       Blog Posts                                 Videos

Interested in hosting or attending a Mindfulness Workshop?  
See the Workshops page for details. And consider attending the Going Beyond New Year's Resolutions Retreat which takes place the last Saturday in January, each year.

Photo credits: Micah Woods