What is mindfulness?

What is mindfulness?

You have probably heard the term “mindfulness,” even if you haven’t heard about it applied to parenting. There is lots of good information on mindfulness out there, but the premise is simple: you set an intention to pay attention to what is happening with a kind attitude. Think about Samantha: she paid attention to what was happening in her body when she became upset, and rather than judge herself, she acknowledged with a kind attitude how hard it was. This helped her choose reactions that were better for her and her children. 

While mindfulness itself is very simple, and anyone can reap the benefits, it does take practice and can feel like a radical, and sometimes uncomfortable, shift from our usual ways of reacting to the world.

Do I need to meditate?

Setting an intention to pay kind attention doesn’t just happen overnight. Like any skill, you need to practice - and many people find that meditation serves as a helpful tool for learning to be mindful in daily life. What this practice looks like is different for everyone. Some people find that sitting for five minutes first thing each morning and paying attention to their breath can help them set the intention for the day. Others may want to try a guided meditation, where they listen to a teacher’s instructions. There are several options you can try on the Taking Charge of Your Health & Wellbeing website.

If you can’t find five minutes, or if meditation just seems too difficult right now, you can set an intention to practice mindful moments throughout your day. Then, when you can, you can return to these meditations to help build your mindfulness even more.