January is the month for resolutions, and one resolution you may want to consider this New Year is to commit to taking 5 minutes every day to put down your phone, step away from the computer, and simply BE. This state of being present is commonly referred to the practice of “mindfulness,” and is defined by a psychological state of awareness and the practices that promote this awareness (Davis & Hayes, 2012). According to Davis and Hayes (2012), the benefits of mindfulness are extensive and include: reduced rumination, stress reduction, boosts to working memory and focus, decreased emotional reactivity, and relationship satisfaction. Further, mindfulness has been shown to enhance self-insight, morality, and intuition – all functions of the brains pre-frontal lobe area. Finally, research suggests that mindfulness also has great health benefits, including increased immune functioning, overall well-being, and reduction in psychological distress.
There are many ways to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is a key component of many therapies (such as Dialectical Behavior Therapy) and health practices, (such as yoga). The easiest way to start is to take a comfortable seat, close your eyes and pay attention to your breath. Your mind will wander – that’s completely normal. Your job is to simply return to the breath and sense what comes up.