Mindfuness is being able to focus your attention on “here” and “now”, as opposed to how we felt yesterday or what we fear or expect in the future. Being able to stay in the present moment helps us to feel calmer and more in control of our lives and experiences. Mindfulness is often practised through focusing one’s full attention inward, e.g. on breathing. Focusing on each breath and the feeling of breathing in and out, helps to calm down our chaotic mind and observe the thoughts that travel through it. In particular it helps detect our negative thoughts that affect us in our daily lives and by recognizing them we are able to reject their power over our feelings and emotions. It is essential that this observation is conducted without criticism as we learn to look at them as outsiders and recognise that our thoughts are not who we are.
Research has shown that mindfulness helps improve our wellbeing through increasing the feeling of happiness and positive self-regard, and reducing symptoms of anxiety and depression.
You can read more about mindfulness techniques and benefits here: http://franticworld.com
