Yes, it was after 12:00 p.m. on a weekend day, but she brewed a second cup of coffee and sat down on her front porch, announcing to her husband, “I’m just going to sit here and enjoy another cup of coffee for once!” His reply was strongly affirming. “Good for YOU,” he smiled. Deep inside, she had to work hard to let go (even for a little while) of the laundry, house cleaning, dogs, and other assorted chores.
Start at the 100,000-foot level. We’re in the throes of a very divisive time in our country pending the upcoming election(s). This creates a FUD (Fear, Uncertainty and Doubt) vibe, especially for government employees who are directly associated with much of the challenging discussions that focus on national resources.
Bring it down a bit to the 10,000-foot level, and we see millions of busy professionals trying to balance personal and work lives amidst this negative energy. It’s enough to make the most reasonable people want to scream. (I actually DO! Into a pillow! It’s very cathartic, but it’s not mindfulness.) What we need to remember now, more than ever, is to take time for ourselves. Even just a few minutes of mindfulness counts!
What Is Mindfulness, Really?
Simply put, mindfulness is the practice of being present in the moment, fully engaged with whatever you’re doing, even if it’s nothing. It’s about silencing the incessant chatter out there that swims around in your mind and, instead, focusing on right here — this moment. That might sound easy, but when you are caught up in work and personal obligations, it is the first thing that you push aside, when it’s what you need most to achieve peace.
Mindfulness doesn’t require you to change your life drastically. Instead, it’s about cultivating awareness and acceptance of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings. Whether you’re taking delight in sipping your morning coffee or you’re breathing deeply through your commute to and from work, mindfulness can be practiced anywhere and anytime without a huge commitment to duration each time you practice it.
Has a loved one, friend, co-worker, coach, medical professional, or anyone else ever calmly told you to take a deep breath? That’s mindfulness. But don’t wait until life spirals out of control. Take those deep breaths all the time. The benefits of mindfulness extend beyond temporary stress relief. Research shows that regularly practicing mindfulness can enhance emotional regulation, reduce anxiety, reduce blood pressure, and even improve overall physical health. By focusing on the present, you can gain clarity, boost your productivity, and find peace amidst the chaos.
Doing Nothing Is Doing Something for Your Brain
You’re not “dawdling.” Dawdling means that you’re avoiding a task that you don’t want to do by doing something mundane to justify your avoidance. In a society that glorifies busyness, the idea of doing nothing might conjure feelings of guilt and laziness; however, taking time to unplug and unwind is crucial for maintaining mental wellness. Just as athletes need rest days to perform at their best, your brain needs downtime to recharge and rejuvenate.
When you allow yourself to do nothing, you give your brain the space it needs to process information and consolidate memories. This restorative period also fosters creativity and problem-solving abilities, often resulting in breakthroughs when you least expect them. Practicing mindfulness during these moments of stillness can amplify their benefits. Here’s a revelation that you might not like — scrolling through social media is NOT mindfulness. You need to make non-stimulating intentional pauses to allow your brain to reset, thus enhancing focus and productivity when you return to your tasks.
So, How Do You Actually DO NOTHING?
You know when you stare blankly at something for what seems like a long time? Or, have you ever waved your hand in front of someone’s face when they are staring out into nothing? That’s your brain sending a message to you that you need to pause. Doing nothing is exactly that. Here are some helpful reminders of how doing nothing might look/feel:
- Deep Breathing: Focus on your breath as you inhale deeply through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth. When you exhale, picture yourself fogging up a mirror. This practice can be done anywhere, whether you’re at your desk or waiting in line. Do this three to five times.
- Observe or Walk in/with Nature: Stare out of your window at the bird feeder or at the squirrels foraging. When you have longer pockets of time, stroll through a park or natural setting. Take those deep breaths as you walk. Don’t go all fitness-crazy. This is a peaceful time.
- “Close-Out” Meditation: If you’re having trouble turning off your brain, listen to some nature sounds or quiet music while sitting and breathing. Some folks like listening to thunderstorms. Others prefer the sounds of rippling water or song birds.
These are not trivial things, nor are they wastes of time. These activities are meant to re-center your spirit. In the long run, practiced frequently over time, they inspire confidence, control, and peace.
Resources for Mindfulness Benefits and Ideas
If you’re interested in exploring mindfulness further, several resources can help you deepen your practice:
- Books: Titles including “The Miracle of Mindfulness” by Thich Nhat Hanh and “Mindfulness for Beginners” by Jon Kabat-Zinn offer practical insights and exercises to guide you on your mindfulness journey.
- Apps: Apps such as Headspace and Calm provide guided meditations and mindfulness exercises that you can incorporate into your daily routine, even during your busiest days.
- YouTube: Enter search terms such as “Nature Sounds Thunderstorm” into the YouTube search box. Test out a few. Some of the video options play sounds non-stop for hours.
- Tools, Courses and Workshops: If you want to learn more, there are countless online resources that have oodles of ideas and techniques for you to try. Check these out:
By leveraging these resources (according to your own style and preferences), you can build mindfulness practices that fits seamlessly into your lifestyle.
Go Forth and Breathe
Mindfulness doesn’t have to cost anything. It doesn’t require a huge time commitment. You don’t have to go anywhere special, unless you want to. Mindfulness is as simple as you want it to be, and it’s packed with benefits. Just breathe. Let go of the guilt and, for a moment, do nothing. Through mindfulness moments, I learned that squirrels are amazing acrobats with a spirit of determination that can defy even the most talented athletes! What am I going to do with this knowledge? Nothing — except maybe smile…and breathe while I watch them.
The multi-faceted nature of Susan Powell’s professional background paints the picture of a lifetime learner who has always taken full control of her career path and decisions to apply her learning experiences in the most productive ways possible. Susan has brought her passion for writing and communications to every career upgrade and role, which helped her to secure the Marketing Director position for a cybersecurity company that she holds today. Fueled by her continued enthusiasm for earning applicable certifications, she continues to develop her marketing prowess and channel partner marketing skills. This former elementary teacher-turned-marketer is still a happy work-in-progress.
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