A funny thing happened to me the other day. Well, 'funny' may not be the right choice of words here, but let's stick with it for the story. My Golden Retriever, Benny, and I went for a walk. Can you imagine his excitement when he saw a butterfly? His tail was frantically wagging, his eyes never left the insect. It was as if his whole existence at that moment was about observing and experiencing the butterfly. Fascinated, I thought, "This is mindfulness, living in the moment".
Mindfulness is about being completely present in the current moment, not reflecting on the past or worrying about the future. When practicing mindfulness, we simply experience life as it unfolds, focusing our attention on our present experiences. This includes our thoughts, feelings, and sensation. In this state of awareness, we remove judgment from the equation, allowing ourselves to witness our world without the typical positive or negative bias. Imagine the liberation that comes with this!
Now, you may ask, why am I talking about mindfulness? Well, it's likely you've experienced burnout at least once. Actually, more than 75% of the entire working population has experienced burnout at least once in their careers! What a dramatic statistic. Burnout is a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion that often occurs due to long-term stress or overworking. We are talking about the feeling of being utterly drained, lacking motivation, or feeling emotionally detached from your work.
Burnout takes a toll on our wellbeing. You may feel down, have difficulty concentrating, and even suffer from sleep disturbances. Now that doesn’t sound like a fun time at all! Recognising burnout in its early stages can be tricky, as the symptoms often overlap with stress and it's easy to dismiss them as just having a bad day or week. But trust me, putting a 'stop' before things escalate can save a lot of distress.
Now let's go back to mindfulness. Research has shown that mindfulness can significantly reduce stress and anxiety and improve well-being – sounds like a perfect antidote to burnout, right? But wait, let me tell you something even more astonishing. Mindfulness-based Stress Reduction (MBSR) was a method developed in the late 1970s, and ever since, numerous research has proven its effectiveness in stress reduction. Now, you don’t need me to connect the dots here, right?
But I’m not finished yet! I know, friends, that statistics can be as dry as unbuttered toast, but here's the cherry on top. Mindfulness doesn't only snap us back into the moment. It rewires our brain! Neuropsychologist Dr. Rick Hanson states that when you become more mindful, your brain changes its structure and function, boosting mood and focus, and decreasing anxiety. How cool is that? We are talking about literally reprogramming your brain! That's a kind of superpower, if you ask me.
Now, integrating mindfulness into your life can be quite challenging, especially when your brain is used to running at a million miles an hour, and you have a parrot like Louie who enjoys screaming the lyrics of 'Never Gonna Give You Up' at random hours. So, how do you apply mindfulness in practice? The answer may surprise you – it’s quite simple. You start by closing your eyes and focusing on your breath.
Yes, you heard it correctly. Mindfulness can be as simple as focusing on the sensation of breathing, the feeling of cool air filling your lungs on the inhale, and the gentle, warm exhale. The principle is simple: live in the moment. Whether you're walking your dog, having breakfast, or talking to a friend, simply try to focus your attention on the sensations you're experiencing right now. This helps to train your brain to hone in on the moment without getting caught up in the chaos of stresses or worries.
Still feeling a bit perplexed? Well, Louie (my parrot) sure knows how to bring down my high building of mindfulness with his rendition of ‘80s classic, but we learn to dance to it, don’t we? Here are some practical tips for integrating mindfulness into your routine. I have had quite a ride figuring these out. After all, mindfulness doesn't come with a manual, but who does like manuals?
First, incorporate breath-focused exercises into your daily routine. Dedicate five minutes each day to following your breath, inhale and exhale. Make sure these exercises become a part of your routine. You can do them first thing in the morning, during breaks, or before going to bed—whenever you feel like it'll be the most effective for you. Second, stay physically active. Regular exercises like jogging, yoga, or even dancing around your living room can be opportunities for mindfulness. Physical activity creates a great chance to focus on your body and break away from your buzzing mind.
Prevention is better than cure, they say, and I couldn’t agree more. Mindfulness is not only an effective remedy for burnout, but it can also act as a preventative measure. By practicing mindfulness regularly, we can improve our ability to handle stress in a healthier way, and it's often stress that leads to burnout, isn't it? The beauty of mindfulness is that it supports us in becoming more resilient and adaptable, minimizing the likelihood of feeling overwhelmed.
As we become more present in our lives, we become better equipped to deal with the highs and lows that invariably come our way. We're more in tune with our emotional signals and better at recognizing warning signs of burnout. If you begin to find yourself feeling fatigued or emotionally detached, this might signal a need to reassess and potentially intensify your mindfulness practice.
Finally, a mindful lifestyle doesn't mean you become void of ambition or placid. It simply means embracing the present moment wholeheartedly, acknowledging that this moment is all we truly have, and choosing to live it fully. Discovering mindfulness for me has been like a fresh breeze, a liberating force like the one when my Benny runs across the park, tail wagging, eyes solely focused on that one tennis ball.
Embracing mindfulness isn’t a one-step leap. It’s a journey that gradually unearths a more peaceful, focused, and contented you. As you grow more comfortable in this practice, you will find the demands of the world fade into the background as you consistently choose to appreciate the beauty of the present moment. I know, sometimes it sounds all magical unicorns and rainbows and Benny could testify how many times I stumbled along this journey but it’s all worth it, isn't it?
Written by Madeline Sterling
View all posts by: Madeline Sterling