We know the benefits of daily physical activity to our health but devoting time to your mental health is also imperative. This may be achieved in different ways for different people. It could be through yoga, meditation or mindfulness, which is a word we often hear these days but may not necessarily quite understand.
Sonja Beckerhoff is a certified workplace mindfulness facilitator and runs self-development business AdventureYourself in Katoomba and told me practising mindfulness has many benefits to a range of people and situations and has offered the following insights.
Q: What is mindfulness?
A: A short and practical definition of mindfulness is moment-to-moment, non-judgemental awareness. The practice of purposely bringing one's attention to the present moment without judgement. It is a skill that can be developed through meditation or other means. Another term that many may have heard is MBSR (Mindfulness-based stress reduction). It specifically offers mindfulness training to assist people with stress, anxiety, depression and pain.
Q: How can mindfulness help?
A: Mindfulness is a method by which attention skills are cultivated, emotional regulation is developed, and rumination and worry are significantly reduced. For example, in the health space mindfulness can help relieve stress, lower blood pressure, reduce chronic pain, improve sleep and mental health and help us find more happiness, joy and meaning in life. In a work or home environment, it can assist by increasing our cognitive flexibility, such as improving focus, attention, and ability to work under stress.
Q: Who can benefit from mindfulness?
A: Essentially everyone as it improves general well-being, alleviates stress and anxiety and promotes focus, attention, the ability to work and cope under stress and increases self-compassion and self-awareness.
Q: How do you learn mindfulness
A: There are formal and informal approaches to establishing a mindfulness practice, however it is strongly suggested to get professional guidance before one starts on the journey. Practising with someone who is qualified supports the practice, provides feedback and development opportunity and creates a sense of community. One can start to learn to be mindful immediately. That is beauty of it. How long it takes to be fully embodied is dependent on your commitment.
Q: How can mindfulness be applied to day-to-day life or to reaching goals?
A: Mindfulness can be incorporated into day-to-day life quite easily, especially the shorter practices. It can be simply paying attention to what one is doing in the moment, like having a shower or eating, without thinking of the next meeting, the shopping, laundry, et cetera. Shorter practices lend themselves to an office environment as well and can provide a quick five minute pick-me-up. When I am mindful in my activities as rock climber and long distance hiker, I realise it is easier to attain what I want to achieve because I am more focused, more compassionate with myself - especially when I don't reach a goal instantly. Ultimately, this makes me more likely to perform well in the end.
Send your health and fitness news to r.valentine@austcommunitymedia.com.au.
Renee Valentine is a journalist, qualified personal trainer and mother of three.
