The Mindful Day

We all know that physical exercise is good for our health, but the truth is that our minds can benefit from exercise, too. This is where mindfulness comes in. But before we hit the mind gym and start practicing, let’s clarify what we mean when we talk about mindfulness.

Mindfulness is the awareness we gain when we focus our attention on our inner sensations and emotions, or toward our immediate environment. But more than this, mindfulness is about changing our mindset. As we redirect our attention inward, we start noticing our negative habits, like making snap judgments, criticizing ourselves, or seeking to control everything. By giving us the gift of awareness, mindfulness helps us change these habits, and encourages us to be more open-minded, more accepting, and more receptive to change.

The key message in this blink is: Practicing mindfulness helps you to stop dwelling on the past, or mentally racing ahead to the future. 

At its core, mindfulness is a powerful tool that can help you appreciate the present moment. And the truth is, we need it. Just consider a Harvard University study that found that the human mind focuses on the present moment only 53% of the time. That means you’re spending almost half your mental life being preoccupied with abstract thoughts – usually analyzing what’s already happened, or anticipating what might happen in the future.

The reason for this is rooted in our biology. Like the rest of your body, your mind is primarily designed for survival. Evolution has equipped you with a mental alarm system that’s always on the lookout for threats, constantly anticipating the worst-case scenario. For our early ancestors, it was safer to focus on the critical inner voice than hoping for the best in a potentially dangerous situation.

In the modern world, which is volatile, uncertain, and highly complex, our evolution works against us. Our mental alarm systems are constantly overwhelmed with information, distractions, and threats. This not only makes mindfulness a challenge – it also makes it essential for our well-being.

In the next blink, you’ll discover how you can start to reclaim your peace of mind by learning some basic mindfulness practices.