Finding Calm in the Chaos

A while back I did a post on mindfulness and how we can bring it into our lives. It was incredibly popular, so this time we're going to go a little deeper into mindfulness, what it is, it's benefits, and how we can be successful in taking control of the chaos around us by managing our emotions, deepening our understanding, and strengthening our thought processes. 

Mindfulness

Have you ever stopped, taking only a minute, to fully quiet your mind from the chaos around you and just be? Sounds simple enough. But in fact, it proves to be a challenge for even the most committed people. Mindfulness is important for peace and good health. Practicing mindfulness trains our brains to respond positively in emotional or negative situations. 

What is mindfulness and what are the benefits? 

Simply put, "Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we are doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what's going on around us." mindful.org. It's about being intentional in the moment we're in, not hanging onto the past, nor feeling anxious for the future. The benefits of practicing mindfulness are innumerable, but to name a few:

1. Decreased stress, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and sleep disorders
2. Decreased irritability
3. Decrease in headaches and migraines
4. Improved concentration and productivity
5. Increased immune function
6. Lowered blood pressure and heart rate 
7. Improved general health, including obesity 

Positive Psychology Program provides a more in-depth list of the benefits of mindfulness.

Questions to get to know our inner-self: 

Self-awareness is a key to cultivating mindfulness, and we can strengthen our understanding of ourselves when we ask the hard questions. Questions are powerful. They force answers. Find a quiet place, with minimal distraction, and ask yourself the following questions, listening carefully to the small voice inside.

1. How do I respond when I don't get things that I want?
2. How do I deal with negativity in my environment?
3. How do I respond when I make a mistake or fail at something?
4. How do I spend my free time?
5. How do I recharge, rejuvenate, and replenish my energy?
6. How fulfilling is my every day life?
7. How much do I follow through with what I preach and talk about?
8. What deep needs do I have that aren't being met?
9. Am I feeling unresolved about something?
10. How can I be more present in my life?
11. What habits do I have that feed insecurity or fear?
12. What are my vulnerabilities?
13. How do I respond to people when they make choices differently from my own?
14. What negative self-talk do I feed myself on a daily basis?
15. What am I passionate about and how can I spend more time doing those things?
16. What are my core values and how do I apply them to my every day life?
17. What are my personal goals and how can I attain them?

Mindfulness is an incredible tool to help us manage our emotions and redirect ourselves in more positive ways. Lisa Firestone, Ph.D. says "It helps us to alter our habitual responses by taking pause and choosing how we act." Compelling questions force us to dig deep into our inner-selves, allowing us to examine and re-evaluate things that we know to be true. Cultivating mindfulness is one of the best ways we can live our best lives, leading to a healthier, happier you.