Anyone Can Practice Mindfulness (Yes, Even You!)

What is mindfulness, really?

What are you doing right this moment as you're reading this? Listening to music? Eating? Half-watching TV? If you had to make an estimate, what percentage of your attention are you giving to this task? 

Now think in general. When was the last time you were 100% focused on the one thing you were doing?

You might think that just because driving is the only thing you’re doing, you must be giving it all of your attention. Or maybe at least 90% of it—we have to allow for a little bit of normal mind wandering. But ask yourself: What types of trees are found as you leave your neighborhood? Have you been noticing?

When was the last time you were 100% focused on the one thing you were doing?

When you fold laundry, what do the sheets smell like? (And don’t cheat by answering “Like fresh laundry!”) When was the last time you truly and fully experienced that smell, not just with a general sense that it’s nice but with all of your awareness invested in the experience?

That focusing of your awareness is called mindfulness.

Last week, we talked about what mindfulness can and can't do. Practicing mindfulness can improve your well-being and performance, decrease stress and pain, and help you to be more connected with yourself and your surroundings. But that doesn't mean you can use mindfulness as a band-aid in a moment of crisis. It's a philosophy, not a tool. It cannot cure all of your ills, and it cannot replace standard medical treatments.

Mindfulness shouldn't be a crash diet—it’s a lifelong relationship with yourself and the world around you.

This week, let’s talk about how we can incorporate mindfulness into our daily lives in a way that’s feasible and sustainable. Because mindfulness shouldn't be a crash diet—it’s a lifelong relationship with yourself and the world around you. Whether you've been working on mindfulness for a while or you're totally new to the idea, these tips...

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