How does Rest Less make money
We make money through advertising and commission from affiliate links, which enable us to offer Rest Less as a free service to our users. The content on this page may use affiliate links, which track traffic from our website to a third party provider and enable us to receive a commission or payment from any traffic we refer.
* Affiliate links on this page have an * next to them. We place enormous importance on our editorial independence and the integrity of our content which means that we will never change how we write about something as a result of an affiliate link.
When we’re busy, it’s easy to spend time rushing around and focusing on what’s coming next, rather than what’s happening now, which can create stress and anxiety.
Mindfulness is a technique that can help bring our full attention to the present moment – specifically, what we’re thinking and feeling, and what’s happening in our immediate environment. It can allow us to take control of our emotions and improve focus.
Below, we’ll take a closer look at the benefits of mindfulness, how it works, and how you can get started.
How does mindfulness work?
Mindfulness can help you notice more about yourself and what’s going on around you (for example, sights, smells, sounds) at any given moment. In doing so, it can silence unhelpful, debilitating thoughts that might be stopping you from enjoying daily life.
Our thoughts can impact our behaviour, so if you can have calmer thoughts and feel more in control, chances are you’ll perform more positive actions and be happier.
Plenty of scientific research suggests that mindfulness can positively impact both physical and mental health. Plus, many top-performing athletes and career professionals are turning to mindfulness to improve their focus and enhance their performance.
What are the benefits of mindfulness?
In general, practising mindfulness is thought to help us understand ourselves better, enjoy life more, and improve our day-to-day wellbeing.
It does this by easing stress and encouraging self-compassion and self-awareness, so we can make more conscious choices about how to respond to our thoughts and feelings.
Mindfulness can also prompt us to…
Notice the little things
Paying attention to the smaller things in life can positively impact the way we think. This is because it can wake us up to sensations that can be pleasing, but that we often ignore.
For example, if you usually eat your lunch whilst working on your computer or watching TV, perhaps you aren’t paying much attention to the taste. To be more mindful, you could try switching off your electronic devices and focusing on the flavours of every mouthful – and chances are, you’ll enjoy it much more.
Our article, A beginner’s guide to mindful eating, has more tips.
Try new things
It’s easy to get stuck in autopilot and follow the same routine every day without a second thought. While there’s nothing wrong with this, it makes it easier for us to rush through life with our eyes closed.
To shake things up, why not try taking a new route to the supermarket or sitting somewhere different when you’re out in the garden? Changing your habits can help you see the world through fresh eyes and notice new things about your surroundings. This will also help bring your mind back to the present moment.
Check out our article, 18 ways to step outside of your comfort zone, to get inspired.
Create distance from our thoughts
If you regularly struggle to sleep or find it difficult to truly embrace the moment, putting space between yourself and your thoughts might bring you some peace.
When you first start practising mindfulness, it’s normal to become overwhelmed by the thoughts that may rush in – yet, try not to let this put you off and explore ways to distance yourself from them instead. For example, you could picture your thoughts as cars driving past you, but not stopping.
By acknowledging your thoughts and how you’re feeling, without judging why you feel this way, you can allow your mind to move on without losing your awareness of the present. Some people also find it helpful to recognise and label their thoughts as they watch them drive by. For example, you could say to yourself: “That’s my anxious thought about finding a new job” or “That’s my anxious thought about all the things I have to get done by tomorrow.”
Others find that practising mindfulness while doing gentle exercise like walking or yoga can help to quiet a busy mind.
Let go of the past and stop worrying about the future
Many of us struggle to stay in the present moment because we’re too busy thinking about the past and/or worrying about the future.
Mindfulness can help us reconnect with our bodies and focus on the present, which can prevent us from becoming too wrapped up in our thoughts. Once we do this, we can often see – more objectively – how these thoughts might be driving our emotions and our behaviours.
When should I practise mindfulness?
You can practise mindfulness whenever you like. However, many people find it easier to build it into their routine by committing to regular times (for example, first thing in the morning or last thing before bed).
As you become more familiar with mindfulness and how it works, you should be able to use it more readily.
Is mindfulness for everyone?
Mindfulness isn’t a magic solution to all your problems, but it can be a useful tool for coping with the stresses and strains of daily life. And, as with anything, the more you practise, the better at it you’ll become.
How can I get started with mindfulness?
You can practise being in the present moment on your own, whenever it’s convenient for you. It usually helps to start by focusing on small things. For example, shutting your eyes for 10 minutes and focusing only on your breathing, or thinking about how the sun feels on your skin as you walk to work.
As you become more comfortable with mindfulness, you can begin to do it as and when you need to (for example, when you’re feeling stressed or overwhelmed).
For those new to mindfulness, joining a class can be a good way to learn the skills needed to get started. For example, you might like to sign up for one of the regular mindfulness workshops running on Rest Less Events.
Final thoughts...
Whether it’s helping you stay focused, enjoy activities more, or combat stress and anxiety, there are a whole host of benefits to practising mindfulness.
To find out more about boosting your mental health, why not head over to our healthy mind section? Here, you’ll find plenty of content on mindfulness and positivity, advice on overcoming challenges, and more.
Do you have any experience practising mindfulness? Do you find it helpful? We’d love to hear from you in the comments below.
Join the discussion
Read our full commenting terms and guidelines