You may have heard about mindfulness but you may not be sure if this practice can be of help to you or your loved ones. Mindfulness can help reduce the effects of stress and can also stave off conditions such as depression. This is especially true for your loved ones who may be struggling with degenerative brain conditions such as dementia. We start with a definition of what mindfulness is before delving into the great benefits of this practice.
What Is Mindfulness
Mindfulness is a kind of meditation where the focus is to increase the individual’s awareness of the present moment. This means being aware of one’s thoughts, experiences, feelings, and so on. This focus on the present is meant to reduce one’s focus on the past or the present, thus leading to a healthier mental disposition. Mindfulness is described as a skill because it takes time before an individual can master the practice. This is because, over time, we get used to dwelling in the future or the past and miss out on great moments happening all around us. Mindfulness aims at reversing this unhealthy practice.
For those considering learning the skills of mindfulness, here are some great benefits that you can derive from practicing mindfulness.
Stress Reduction
Mental health experts have known for a long time that worry and stress are often associated with dwelling too much on the future and the past. This is because the past and the future are difficult to control. The past has already happened and can’t be changed. The future on the other hand tends to be largely unknown. The inability to control these is often at the root of stress and worry. Mindfulness requires the individual to focus on the present and thus on things that are within their control. By doing this, the individual enjoys lower stress levels.
Improves Memory
One of the benefits of practicing mindfulness is the fact that it helps to improve one’s memory. Apart from health conditions, one of the common reasons for memory loss is simply the fact that people are less attentive when undertaking everyday tasks. While this does not pose a problem during our younger years, as we age, it becomes a significant contributor to memory loss. By focusing on the present and being attentive to what we are doing, we reduce the risk of memory loss.
Body Awareness
Mindfulness helps us to focus on our bodies. This means that any discomforts are quickly noted and dealt with. Apart from such conditions, mindfulness also allows us to be aware of other external factors that may affect our health. For example, if a particular food or drink item is making us uncomfortable, this is quickly noted before it can have an adverse effect.
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