Mindfulness
by Dr. Chris Mathe, PhD

Cultivating more acceptance and awareness of one’s feelings, thoughts, body sensations, and surroundings can substantially decrease anxiety and increase peace.

Mindfulness…

• What is it?
• Why “cultivate” it?
• Where do I start?

Mindfulness – what is it?

• Mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, emotions, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment with openness and curiosity.
• Mindfulness helps us cultivate the “observer” in us where we can build the capacity to notice more of what is happening inside and outside of us.
• It is a practice of accepting – not pushing away or chasing – our thoughts and feelings.
• Exactly like maintaining physical health with regular practice that builds structure, mindfulness practice helps build emotional health by building structure.

Mindfulness – why cultivate it?

• Mindfulness can support and sustain you, by helping you manage the stress of today’s world.
• The American Psychological Association shares research on a range of benefits of mindfulness, including stress reduction, boosts to working memory, increased focus, less emotional reactivity, more cognitive flexibility, more relationship satisfaction
• More than the health benefits, mindfulness can help us develop our deeper human capacities for awareness, attention, empathy, kindness, and compassion.

Mindfulness – where do I start?

• The “Raisin” experiment. The Raisin Meditation For Mindful Eating (+ PDF) (mindfulnessbox.com)
• Using everyday activities. How to Practice “Everyday Mindfulness” – Mindfulness Muse
• Use an app. 13 Best Meditation and Mindfulness Apps for 2023 (developgoodhabits.com)
• Make it a practice.

In Summary…..

• The effects start today.
• Start small.
• Make it a practice.