Why does mindfulness matter?
With the world in flux, many people are finding it hard to see their way forward. When we don’t know what the future looks like, it can be extremely stressful.
In my own experience with dealing with stressful times, I haven’t found anything as powerful as the healing benefits of mindfulness. As a result, that is why I need to share why mindfulness matters and why it might matter to you.
My Personal Experience of Why Mindfulness Matters:
Twenty-nine years ago, I was desperate to feel better. One night on my drive home from work, I was so stressed. After a long workday, I decided to drop into my first yoga class and discovered the sitting practice. Before practicing mindfulness, the most difficult thing for me to do was to sit still for even two minutes. Back then, I was too busy and always in a hurry trying to get something or go somewhere. My mind was just as busy with a repetitive cycle of thoughts. I felt like I had no time to enjoy life outside of my work hours and a long commute. I was seeking stress relief and I found it with mindfulness.
Mindfulness has Many Powerful Benefits:
If there were something else out there that would have replaced mindfulness then I would have taken it up. This practice has been the cure-all treatment for me to lead a fulfilled life of happiness, better health, and balance in my body, mind, and emotions. Now having a deep inner peace and strong resilience, I can weather the storms of life with more ease and grace.
Mindfulness is so powerful, positive, and life-enhancing. If you’re not doing it already, I want you to try it out for yourself, especially if you are suffering from stress and anxiety. Don’t let this simple act of sitting and doing nothing fool you!
For something I’ve been doing for so long, it is rather difficult for me to share my experience of mindfulness with others, but I will share the benefits with you so you can experience it for yourself if you’re not already.
Here’s Why Mindfulness Matters:
1. Closer Relationships
First, the relationship with self, friends, family, nature, the community, and the world are all influenced by sitting and quieting the mind, emotions, and body. You experience a deeper connection with everything around you. Also, when you encounter other people, their feelings and moods are enhanced.
2. Experience Wholeness
Along the journey with mindfulness, you’ll make a discovery that there’s no improvement needed because your nature is whole already. As a human, you have a Buddha nature. This means you are perfect and whole and there’s nothing to improve. All you have to do is sit with who you are– peace, love, and joy.
3. Deeper Self-love
Most importantly, mindfulness is a gift of being more compassionate to yourself. You don’t have to get anything. You only have to give yourself space to breathe and observe your inner body. Essentially, there’s nothing to do, nothing to get, and nowhere to go.
4. Release Anxiety and Reduce Stress
Next, you get to make the most of every moment by being present in the now. To cultivate a deeper connection with the present is a recognition of the wonder and expansiveness happening inside you and all around you. Over time, you learn to not zone out and have anxiety about what might happen in the future or worry about something that happened in the past.
5. Breath Recognition
The biggest lifesaver is learning how to take deep breaths in the diaphragm and not short shallow breaths in the upper chest. When you’re observing the breath, you can only be in the present moment. The practice of watching the out-breath releases stress and tension. This exhale breath is a death or a letting go of what no longer serves you. And watching the in-breath is an invite into the new to cleanse every cell in the body. Therefore, the breath is the bridge between the mind and the body connection.
6. Enhanced Heart
Another good benefit is that you can be more authentic and listen to what the heart is telling you. While sitting, you learn to keep inquiry going and hold the attention around the heart space. As a result, you don’t have to focus on the endless cycle of thoughts passing through the head. Also, the heart rate slows down and blood pressure is lowered thereby reducing stress.
7. Brain Neuroplasticity
Activity is heightened in the left prefrontal cortex of the brain which induces relaxation and happiness. Focus and concentration improve because gamma waves are activated. As a result, a higher state of thinking happens and you experience more insights and ideas flowing to you.
8. Improved Immune Function
Mindfulness research studies have shown there’s a decrease in catching colds, the flu, and infections. Also, heart disease and life-threatening illnesses like cancer are less likely. As a result, you have a feeling of vitality and aliveness in the body.
9. Coming Home
Finally, sitting is a discipline of being with the experience of what’s happening in the body, mind, and emotions. However, it’s not an easy thing to do. But with practice, it becomes a habit you don’t want to miss out on. Most importantly, you’ll experience all the healing benefits of mindfulness. As a result, you will feel more awake and at home in your skin and know when something is off and doesn’t feel right.
In conclusion, mindfulness is such a powerful tool to restore a sense of equanimity in our uncertain and challenging times. During stressful events or traumas, it is a remarkable aid to calm and harmonize the body, mind, and emotions.
Now, you know why mindfulness matters and why it might matter to you. I can’t stress enough about the incredible benefits of this ancient practice are way beyond what you would ever imagine. Above all, you will experience a greater feeling of joy, love, and peace that will penetrate every fiber of your being. In other words, the world as you see it will be perceived more positively no matter what is happening out there.
Do you need support in discovering and building your dreams and goals? In between my coaching and speaking schedule, I carve out a few strategy sessions each month. If you would like a complimentary strategy session (Value = $250), simply contact me here.
As a Life Coach, Wendy Johnson helps people who are feeling stressed and frustrated design a life they love living on purpose with joy and peace. She’s passionate about empowering clients to unlock their true potential, achieve success, and live a life they love living. Wendy is an inspiring speaker, passionate educator, and a highly sought-after transformational coach.
