what is mindfulness?

In a fast-paced society that we are living in, mind-wandering, multi-tasking and feeling stressed out have become commonplace. Taking time to pause and maintaining focus in the present moment is becoming a challenge for many. We often find ourselves feeling stressed but we can choose to take appropriate action to reduce our stress levels and lead happier and healthier lives by practising mindfulness as a way of being.

Mindfulness is a key component of the programs that Brahm Centre offers as it is an essential life skill to build mental resilience. Through the cultivation of mindfulness, Brahm Centre aims to empower people to create their own happiness.

What is Mindfulness?

Here are some videos to give you a taste of what mindfulness is about:

Introduction to Mindfulness Meditation (credits to Smiling Minds, Australia)

Why Mindfulness is a Superpower (credits to Happify)

Mindfulness trains the mind to purposefully pay attention to the present moment, without judging the experience. This means noticing the experience just as it is. When we are being mindful, we begin to bring moment-to-moment awareness to our thoughts, emotions and physical sensations. We become more alive and awake to our daily experience.

With mindfulness practice, we can train the mind to ruminate less about the past or worry about the future, by focusing on the here and now. Mindfulness is a mind-body approach that will help enhance both physical health and emotional wellness, bringing about greater attentional control, emotional regulation and self-awareness.

Benefits of Mindfulness

Many studies have pointed to the benefits of practising mindfulness in improving our psychological functioning. In a review of empirical studies by Keng et al (2011), mindfulness has shown benefits in:

• Reducing self-reported levels of anxiety, depression, anger, perceived stress
• Improving positive affect, self-compassion, empathy, satisfaction with life and quality of life

Apart from our psychological health, mindfulness improves our physical health as well.
Mindfulness helps in:

• Better quality of sleep
• Improved cardiovascular health
• Reducing chronic pain

For some, the ability to focus attention and stay undistracted can be challenging. Research has shown that practising mindfulness helps in our cognitive functioning, with improvements in working memory capacity and attentional functioning.