On September 12th, we celebrate World Mindfulness Day! It is a day dedicated to promoting the act of being present, and is the perfect opportunity to shift your focus back onto your mental health. Taking time to slow down and connect with your mind and body!
Practicing being mindful or present can contribute to a sense of calm and inner peace and restore a sense of balance and clarity.
What is the History of Mindfulness?
Originating in India around 1500 B.C., meditation and mindfulness initially began as a way to connect with the inner-self to bring clarity and healing. Meditation practices spread across Asia and to the Western world, where techniques were adapted to make them relevant to the unique spiritual, therapeutic, and practical needs of each culture.
On World Mindfulness Day, people around the world acknowledge and celebrate the rich history and evolution of mindfulness meditation. The day reminds us of mindfulness’s ancient roots and its wide-ranging health and wellbeing benefits.
What are the Benefits of Practicing Mindfulness Meditation?
In our modern lives, we often live busy daily schedules. We may be constantly juggling our responsibilities to work, family, and friends. The neverending to-do lists can wear us down, and free time may be spent zoning out in front of the TV or scrolling on our phones. Taking time to pause, breathe, and connect with ourselves may feel impossible, but it can be so important and nourishing.
Let’s Look at the Benefits of Mindfulness Meditation:
It Reduces Stress by decreasing our cortisol levels, a stress hormone. Reducing cortisol levels is beneficial to your mental health and stress-related illness.
It Enhances Concentration: Practicing mindfulness trains the brain to focus for longer periods. An improved attention span can be extremely beneficial when we’re constantly bombarded with tasks and it can prove beneficial at work.
Meditation has been linked with health benefits like reduced anxiety, lower blood pressure, and a healthier immune system.
Mindfulness restores a personal sense of peace, grounding, and clarity that enhances positive relationships with other people and the world
How to Participate in World Mindfulness Day
Join a Global Meditation. Many organizations host global mindfulness workshops on World Mindfulness Day. Connect with thousands of others around the world who are practicing meditation. This can be a powerful experience, emphasizing the unity and collective energy of the human experience.
Join a Community Meditation. Plan or attend a group meditation session at a local park, community center, or virtually. Group meditations can help build a sense of community, making the practice more enjoyable and impactful.
Carve out personal meditation time. Create time to focus on your intentions, gratitude, or personal peace, allowing you to connect with yourself on a deeper level.
How to Practice Mindfulness
Participate in Guided Meditations where an experienced practitioner directs you through spoken instructions, often accompanied by calming music or natural sounds.
Create a dedicated Meditation Space in your home as a reminder to pause and reconnect with yourself. Make your space quiet, comfortable, and free from distractions. You can even personalize it with items that promote relaxation and peace such as cushions, candles, incense, or soothing artwork.
Try new meditation styles! Explore different styles of meditation to help keep your practice fresh and engaging. A Loving Kindness Meditation is a great one for enhancing your sense of self-compassion. Body Scans help to connect your body to the earth through grounding in bodily awareness.
Bring meditation into daily activities! Meditation doesn't always have to be a separate part of your day. Add mindfulness into daily activities like Mindful Walking and Mindful Eating. Try walking mindfully and observing your surroundings or eating slowly and mindfully noticing the taste of your food. During breaks at work, feel your feet on the floor and deep breaths help you stay present throughout the day.
Join meditation communities in-person or online. Engaging with fellow meditators can provide support, motivation, and deeper insight into your practice. Look for online forums and local groups that offer meetings, discussions, and shared meditation sessions, which can be particularly enriching.
