Karissa Lopez
When I attended my first virtual yoga session last month, I couldn’t sit still. I kept checking my phone and wandering around my apartment before I ultimately decided to give up and leave the class early. A few days prior to signing up for the class, my sister had suggested I use “mindfulness” as a way to cope with my COVID induced fear and anxiety, along with my school induced stress. Naturally, I equated mindfulness with yoga, which in theory excited me, but in practice was almost painful for my rapid-fire brain. My issue wasn’t with yoga or mindfulness itself; it was with the silence and stillness that was required of me. I’d been stuck in the idea that these things were counterproductive, which was the opposite of what I needed to be as a college student. However, studies have shown that students who practice mindfulness often have lower levels of stress and are better at managing it, as well as experiencing increased levels of curiosity and patience; two things that seem critical given our new virtual reality. If you’re like me and can stand the silence or don’t have the focus for meditation or yoga, how can you practice mindfulness and reap these benefits? Well, in order to practice mindfulness, you have to first define it. Everyone’s definition of mindfulness, much like their practice, is different; however, the most common conception of mindfulness is taking the time to direct your attention purposely and intentionally to the present moment, without judgement or critique. Many people practice mindfulness through meditation, yoga, or by simply going on a walk. That’s the beauty of practicing mindfulness: it caters to your life and your individual needs. Nicoletta Longo, a mindfulness consultant, gives three helpful steps when starting to practice mindfulness: 1. Set a realistic amount of time to practice mindfulness every day While I’m a firm believer that everyone should practice mindfulness, I understand that finding the time to do so is easier said than done. Whether it’s taking five minutes after you wake up, before you fall asleep, or to use as an excuse to step away from the computer screen, finding the time to practice a moment of mindfulness daily can help to form a habit. It doesn’t have to be a substantial amount of time, just enough to ground and refresh yourself. 2. Commit to the practice When I first started intentionally practicing mindfulness, it was easy to get lost in a daydream or use this time to continue to plan out my day or week. It’s normal to have your mind wander, but it’s important that you recognize this and let it go. Create a space for your body and your brain to rest—they will thank you! 3. Let go of expectations Lastly, let go of expectations. Just like in many other aspects of life, setting goals for your mindfulness journey is important; however, it’s also important to be gentle with yourself. There are no requirements for where you should be within your practice. The action of mindfulness is accomplishment enough. Although practicing mindfulness daily can sometimes feel like a chore (there have definitely been days that I’ve skipped), it’s still a form of self-care that can allow you to find peace and focus in whatever emotions you’re feeling in the present moment. Here are some of my favorite mindfulness resources and meditations that helped me get started:
I hope these resources and tips can help you begin your journey of mindfulness, and that practicing it can bring you as much peace and stillness as it brought to me during these times of anxiety and uncertainty.
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January 2024
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