Mindfulness. Try it.

It’s hard not to notice the rise of the mindfulness trend lately. It has even found it’s way inside the walls of some of the world’s largest tech companies, to of course improve productivity, but also the health and happiness of employees. That’s right. Mindfulness is for everyone, not just your meditating yoga friend. Seminars, magazines, books, blogs and CEO’s across the nation seem to be on a mission to spread the word of this simple practice, because it works!

If you type the word Mindfulness into Google, this is what you will first read:

Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience.

The practicality of this tool is endless. Often we find ourselves in less than ideal circumstances. Habitually, many of us either grind our teeth and breed negative emotion or tap out and begin dreaming of a far away vacation. Living in this way weakens the spirit, the mind, and has astronomical effects on the health of our bodies.

Mindfulness teaches the value of each moment, whether the circumstances are good or bad. Perhaps you’ve heard a yoga teacher refer to ‘non-attachment’. This idea is applied when someone cuts you off in traffic, or the kids are fighting, or maybe it’s just little moments in your day that make you feel as though the world is challenging your patience. Non-attachment means that you recognize that you are more than your emotional reactions. The sum of you is much greater than that. Take a few deep breaths. Your nervous system will calm, your heart rate will go down and suddenly it’s not so bad.

Mindfulness also improves productivity, quality of relationships, creativity, optimism, gratitude, memory and a general appreciation for the details.

If this only sparks a curiosity for mindfulness, that’s great. If you are interested in putting this into practice, start simple. Wear a bracelet that reminds you to take deep breaths. Or for starters, set an alarm on your I-Phone every hour to remind you to pause, look around, and acknowledge the gift of the present. You might even try Yin Yoga Wednesday nights with me at Fly Fitness- a 5 minute pigeon is a great teacher of mindfulness!

Consider this: Mindfulness might be one way to find a multitude of  ‘Best parts of your day’. It could be the moment when you first wake up and see the face of a loved one. It could be feeling the warmth of the sunshine through your car window. It could be taking your sweet time washing every dish in the sink. Maybe it could even be that moment in spinning class when you realize ‘I got this’!

Live in the moment, and awaken to the experience of living!