
I’ve been away from the blog for a bit, I know. After losing a very close family member at an age where she would have had more time to herself and less to other life obligations, it was heartbreaking to witness her transition. We were very close growing up and had been texting often and now I just saved our text conversations in my phone. She was full of love for everything, mainly and always for God and for that I’m glad to have had her in my life.
This gives me pause and reminds me to live in the present and not look too far into the future or worry too much about the past. So, learning to practice more mindfulness has been at the forefront of my mind lately and my research. When we live for anticipating the future, we tend to be more anxious about things and when we worry about the past it can bring about sadness and depressing thoughts. So, fixing our thoughts onto the present moments is a practice called mindfulness
Mindfulness is a technique that involves intentionally bringing one's attention to the present moment without judgment. It involves observing thoughts, feelings, and sensations as they arise with an attitude of openness and acceptance.[1][3] Here are the key points about mindfulness:
What is Mindfulness?
- Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present and aware of where we are and what we're doing in the current moment.[3]
- It involves noticing and accepting one's thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surroundings as they arise, without judging or reacting to them.[1][4]
- Mindfulness aims to help cultivate qualities like self-awareness, calmness, focus, and kindness towards oneself.[1]
How Mindfulness Works
- Mindfulness brings attention to the present moment and away from worries about the past or future.[1]
- It creates space between a person and their thoughts, allowing for more calm responses rather than automatic reactions.[1]
- Practicing mindfulness can help manage difficult thoughts and emotions by observing them with openness rather than suppressing or avoiding them.[1][4]
Some Benefits of Mindfulness
- Studies show mindfulness can help manage common mental health issues like depression, anxiety, and stress.[1]
- It may also benefit more complex conditions like psychosis and bipolar disorder, though more research is needed.[1]
- Other potential benefits include increased focus, self-awareness, emotional regulation, and overall well-being.[1][3][4]
Mindfulness is cultivated through various techniques like meditation, breathing exercises, and bringing present-moment awareness to daily activities.[1][3][4] While it has roots in Buddhist traditions, mindfulness is essentially a universal human capacity that can be developed through regular practice.[3]
I encourage you to seek out a few minutes each day to practice mindfulness, becoming aware of what is currently happening at the time without judging, just slowing down to observe and be grateful that you can pause for however long you can and buildup slowly more time. Your body and mind will be thankful.
Dr. Tee
To Your Best Health
June 2024
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