Living a more mindful life opens the path toward greater overall happiness.
Wellness coach and health educator Elizabeth Scott, PhD, said that directing all attention and awareness to the present can bring many benefits to relationships, as well as emotional and physical health.
“Practicing everyday mindfulness can pull you out of the negative downward spiral caused by too much daily stress, too many bad moods, or the habit of rumination,” she explained.
Scott, who specializes in stress management, positive psychology, and family counseling, noted that it can also help put stressful events into perspective. This builds resilience, so you are less likely to feel overwhelmed in the future.
“Learning to be present in the moment is a way of life,” said the author of the self-help book 8 Keys to Stress Management.
“With practice, you can learn to live a more mindful life that allows you to become more conscious of everything you are doing,” she added.
To guide the public, experts from the Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) shared Scott’s insights as published on the award-winning platform Verywell Mind.
Here are her key points:
Mindfulness in eating
Mindless eating—whether you eat while scrolling through your phone or turn to food for emotional comfort—can lead to problems such as overeating and consuming too much sugar.
Her tip: Resist the urge to multitask. Be present with your food. Pay attention to each bite. Chew slowly. Savor the taste. Notice how you nourish your body.
Mindfulness in interactions
Communication is important. Mindfulness in relationships means observing and interacting without judgment.
When you are with someone, please give them your full attention. Listen carefully. Focus on what they are saying instead of planning your response. Learn to reply with intention.
Mindfulness in daily activities
Trouble remembering whether you washed your hair in the shower or forgetting why you walked into a room are signs that your mind is full.
Focus on what you are doing as you are doing it—and nothing else. Tune in to physical sensations. Let go of anxiety about the past and worries about the future. When your mind wanders, gently bring your attention back to the present. Simple activities to focus on include walking, gardening, or even savoring a piece of chocolate.
Pause to be mindful throughout the day
It can be challenging to stay mindful as you move from one task to another. Get back on track by focusing on your breathing when you feel upset or anxious. This can have a calming effect, helping you stay grounded.
Progressive muscle relaxation is another helpful exercise. Tense and relax your muscles—one group at a time. You will learn to notice when you tense up certain body parts.
