Peaceful moments are scarce in current times. Most of the time we are juggling multiple tasks while our mind runs down other things. Being completely immersed in the present moment, and mindful of what we are doing, gives us satisfaction, reduces our anxiety and relieves our stress. Practicing mindfulness has a lot of benefits like self-control, objectivity, improved concentration, mental clarity, among others.
Dr Kamna Chhibber, head of mental health and behavioural sciences at Fortis Memoria, Gurugram as quoted in a report as saying, “Mindfulness essentially says when you are in a situation what you need to try doing is to be fully there. A lot of people may think mindfulness may mean that we need to sit down and meditate, but it's not that. It's about engaging with experiences more fully and that is something if it is done, it allows you to manage your stress levels better because you are not constantly feeling pulled and pushed into multiple directions.”
“Mindfulness can be applied to each and every aspect of your life. It becomes more about 'in the moment, in the present, in the here and now' at the time you are doing an activity. That activity could be eating food, it could be that you are walking from one room to the next room. It could be that you are sitting and watching a show or being part of a conversation which you are not directly involved in. Mindfulness is to fully engage with that experience, utilize all your sense organs, to make sure that you are experiencing it more fully,” says Dr Chibber.
Experiencing a moment to its fullest or immersing yourself in a task completely, brings satisfaction in your life. It boosts your productivity as you complete the task at hand quickly.
Dr Chhibber said, ”Mindfulness allows you to kind of slow yourself down to be able to immerse yourself in the moment and to fully do the things you would like to while you are actually fully enjoying them or doing the best that you can do at that moment in able to achieve your own potential at that time and whatever the activity may be. It can have its various benefits as a result. It is oftentimes suggested that mindful engagement and mindful occupation is something very essential.”
So how can one practice mindfulness? “Things will keep on coming and going, and you have to learn how to let go of those thoughts. Let the thoughts flow like a river. Let the thought come in and go, don't hold on to it. Instead, keep redirecting your attention to the task that you are doing. You may be sitting and giving yourself a 5-minute break; allow yourself to enjoy that break instead of thinking ten different thoughts,” she said. "Learn to let go and be content in whatever is in front of you is the key,” Dr Chibber said.
