Does Mindfulness Improve Mental Health or Is It Fluff?

Tanya J. Peterson

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Does Mindfulness Improve Mental Health or Is It Fluff?
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Mindfulness is currently a mental health buzzword. Some people claim that living mindfully brings instant inner peace and makes us impervious to problems. In reality, this isn’t what mindfulness is about. It can, however, make a positive difference in our lives.

Mindfulness is a way of living life and of being with yourself and others. Simplified, it involves paying attention to something in your present moment instead of thinking about the past or the future. Mindfulness can, but doesn’t have to, involve meditation. Meditation is a formal practice of concentration with a defined starting and stopping point, whereas mindfulness involves paying attention to whatever you are doing as you are going about your daily life.

Paying attention to the present moment has mental health advantages. It’s the opposite of ruminating and worrying. It can also be motivating, inspiring you to do what you can, one thing at a time. In focusing the mind and facilitating small actions, mindfulness can help people deal with difficult situations and mental health challenges.

This approach to life is not a cure-all or a quick fix, however. Being mindful doesn’t change the past or make you forget about upsetting events and emotions. Its power is greater than that. By choosing to focus on your moment itself rather than your thoughts and feelings about it, which are rooted in the past or future, you take charge of your life, again and again. This helps keep you centered so you can deal thoughtfully with the problems and challenges that arise, which is the epitome of mental health.

Your Thoughts

Today's Question: If you practice mindfulness, in what ways has it helped your mental health? We invite you to participate by sharing your thoughts, experiences, and knowledge on the HealthyPlace Facebook page.

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