Mindfulness

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we are doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what's going on around us.

While mindfulness is something we all naturally possess, it's more readily available to us when we practice on a daily basis.

Whenever you bring awareness to what you're directly experiencing through your senses or your thoughts and emotions, you are being mindful. There is growing research showing that when you train your mind to be mindful, you're actually rewiring the physical structure of your brain.

https://www.mindful.org

There are many benefits to practicing mindfulness:

• Improved attention and focus

• Better grades

• More effective emotion regulation

• Better behavior in school

• Greater empathy and perspective taking

• Better social skills

• Reduced test anxiety

• Less stress

• Lower rates/severity of depression

https://positivepsychology.com

1. Find a safe, calm, and quiet space and be seated or lie in a comfortable position. You may dim the lights.

2. Set a time limit - feel free to practice as long as you feel necessary. At first it may be shorter and then progress into longer sessions.

3. Begin playing relaxing music or listening to the prompts from an app (like Headspace)

4. Focus on your breathing. Remember to inhale and exhale S L O W L Y.

5. When completed with your mindfulness exercise, allow your mind and body to wake up slowly.

6. How do you feel? More relaxed? Less stressed? More in control of your thoughts/feelings?

*It is okay if your mind wanders during mindfulness. Simply bring your focus back to your body, breath, and the sounds around you.