It can be easy to rush through life without stopping to notice much.
But paying attention to the present moment – to our own thoughts and feelings and the world around us – can improve our mental wellbeing. This mindfulness can help us enjoy life more and understand ourselves better. And we can all take steps to develop it in our lives.
Becoming more aware of the present moment can help us enjoy the world around us more and understand ourselves better. When we become more aware of the present, we begin to experience afresh things that we have been taking for granted.
Mindfulness also allows us to become more aware of the stream of thoughts and feelings that we experience and to see how we can become entangled in that stream in ways that are not helpful. This lets us stand back from our thoughts and start to see their patterns. Gradually, we can train ourselves to notice when our thoughts are taking over and realise that thoughts are simply mental events that do not have to control us.
Mindfulness can help us deal with issues more productively. We can ask: “Is trying to solve this by brooding about it helpful, or am I just getting caught up in my thoughts?” Awareness of this kind may also help us notice signs of stress or anxiety earlier and deal with them better.
Mindfulness-based therapies are recommended by the NHS as a way to treat less severe depression.
It’s easy to stop noticing the world around us
Mindfulness involves paying attention to what is going on inside and outside ourselves, moment by moment. It’s easy to lose touch with the way our bodies are feeling and to get caught up in our thoughts without stopping to notice how those thoughts are driving our emotions and behaviour.
Notice the Everyday
As we go about our daily lives, we can notice the sensations of things, the food we eat, the air moving past the body as we walk.
Keep it Regular
It can be helpful to pick a regular time, such as a morning journey to the shops or a walk at lunchtime, during which you decide to be aware of the sensations created by the world around you.
Try something new
Trying new things, such as sitting in a different chair at home, taking a different walk home or going somewhere new for lunch, can also help you notice the world in a new way.
Watch your thoughts
Some people find it difficult to practise mindfulness. As soon as they stop what they’re doing, lots of thoughts and worries crowd in. It might be useful to remember that mindfulness isn’t about making these thoughts go away, but about seeing them as mental events that come and go. This can be hard at first, but with persistence it is possible.
Some people find that it is easier to cope with an over-busy mind if they are doing gentle yoga or walking.
Give names to your thoughts and feelings
To develop an awareness of thoughts and feelings, some people find it helpful to silently name them: “Here’s the thought I might fail this task” or: “This is anxiety”.
Free yourself from your past. And future.
You can practise mindfulness anywhere, but it can be helpful to take a mindful approach if you realise that, for several minutes, you have been trapped in reliving past problems or pre-living future worries.
As well as practising mindfulness in daily life, it can be helpful to set aside time for a more formal mindfulness practice. Mindfulness meditation involves sitting silently and paying attention to thoughts, sounds, the sensations of breathing or parts of the body, bringing your attention back whenever the mind starts to wander.
Studies show that mindfulness can help with stress, anxiety and depression. The NHS has said that more research is required to show whether it helps with other mental health conditions.
Mindfulness may not work for you
Many people find mindfulness helpful, but it’s not right for everyone. Some people find that it does not help them, or that it can make them feel worse.
If you’re a Crosby Training learner, we’ll work hard to find the solution which works for you.
