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What is Mindfulness Meditation?

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Summary

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Mindfulness meditation is a way to calm and focus your mind by paying attention to the present moment. You can do it by sitting quietly and paying attention to your breath, body, or surroundings, without judgment. Practicing it can help you feel less stressed and more in control of your life.

Frequently Asked Question

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How do I practice mindfulness meditation?

Practicing mindfulness meditation can be as simple as focusing on your breath or body sensations, without judgment. It’s important to find a quiet place and set aside time for practice, even if it’s just a few minutes a day.

What are the benefits of mindfulness meditation?

Studies have shown that regular mindfulness practice can help reduce stress, improve concentration, and enhance overall well-being. Additionally, mindfulness can also help manage chronic pain and improve physical performance.

Is mindfulness meditation the same as relaxing?

While mindfulness meditation can help you feel more relaxed, it’s not the same as simply relaxing. Relaxation involves letting go of tension, while mindfulness involves becoming aware of and accepting your thoughts and feelings, without judgment. Mindfulness can lead to relaxation, but the focus is on developing awareness and understanding, rather than simply seeking a relaxed state.

Scientific Definition

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Mindfulness meditation is a way of paying attention to the present moment in a calm and focused way. It can help in becoming more aware of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations, and to understand them better. When you practice mindfulness meditation, you sit quietly and pay attention to your breath, or to your body, or to what’s happening around you. You don’t judge anything, you just observe. The idea is to train your mind to be more present and less caught up in worries about the past or future. With practice, mindfulness can help you feel more relaxed, less stressed, and more in control of your life. And you can do it anywhere, at any time. You just need to stop for a few minutes and focus on your breath, or your body, or the world around you.

Real World Example of Mindfulness Meditation

Meet Susie, a curious and imaginative child. One day, Susie was feeling overwhelmed with her schoolwork and upcoming tests. Her mom introduced her to the concept of mindfulness meditation to help her relax and focus. Here’s how Susie experienced it:

  • Breath awareness: Sitting in her room, Susie closed her eyes and took deep breaths, feeling the air filling her lungs and then releasing slowly.
  • Mindful coloring: Susie picked up her favorite coloring book and chose vibrant colors. As she filled the pages with colors, she focused on each stroke and the sensations in her hand.
  • Nature walk: Susie and her mom went for a walk in the park. They paid attention to the sounds of birds chirping, the feel of the grass beneath their feet, and the scent of blooming flowers.
  • Bedtime relaxation: Before bed, Susie lay down and listened to a guided meditation. She imagined floating on a soft cloud, feeling her body relax from head to toe.

Through mindfulness meditation, Susie discovered a way to calm her mind, stay present, and feel more at ease in various situations.

How Does Mindfulness Meditation Work?

Mindfulness meditation is a practice that works by cultivating present moment awareness and nonjudgmental observation. Through focused attention, it helps in developing a deeper understanding of thoughts, emotions, and sensations.

  • Breath awareness: Paying attention to your breath as it goes in and out.
  • Body scan: Scanning your body from head to toe, noticing any sensations or areas of tension.
  • Loving-kindness meditation: Cultivating feelings of love, compassion, and goodwill towards yourself and others.
  • Walking meditation: Bringing mindful awareness to the sensations and movements of walking.
  • Eating meditation: Eating slowly and mindfully, savoring each bite and being fully present.
  • Mindful listening: Listening attentively to sounds, without judgment or interpretation.

Mindfulness meditation encompasses various practices that can be incorporated into daily life, fostering a greater sense of presence, calmness, and self-awareness. Goally, our tablet for kids, includes apps for building life skills and language development. With the addition of mindfulness meditation, it helps children improve self-awareness, reduce stress, and enhance emotional regulation.

 

This post was originally published on Feb. 13, 2023. It was updated on July 8, 2023.