Mindfulness: A Practice, A Tool, A Life-Changer
On average, a person has between 50,000-70,000 thoughts per day. That means we think between 35-48 thoughts per minute. Sound overwhelming?
Sound familiar?
Our “monkey minds” are extremely good at jumping from thought to thought, without paying much attention to what we’re thinking, or why. We’re also skilled in thinking negatively and worrying about things that, in all likelihood, will never happen.
But there is an anecdote to this mental clutter. There is something we can do to quiet our minds, help relieve stress and learn to live more fully in the present moment.
It’s called mindfulness.
Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention (non-judgmentally) to thoughts and feelings as they arise. The practice of mindfulness is a free, easily accessible tool that can be utilized in any situation, anywhere at any time. Not only does mindfulness promote an appreciation for, and grounding in, the present moment, but research has shown mindfulness also improves physical and mental health, and can bring positive changes in health attitudes and behaviors.
Examples of the physical benefits of mindfulness include:
- a decrease in blood pressure
- a reduction in chronic pain
- improved sleep
- increased memory
- increased pain tolerance
Mindfulness is also an important treatment strategy for various conditions, including:
- depression
- substance abuse
- eating disorders
- anxiety disorders
- obsessive-compulsive disorder
Used in schools and businesses in countries across the globe, mindfulness is rapidly becoming more mainstream among individuals as well as groups in various settings— from large corporations like Google and Aetna to professional sports teams like the Seattle Seahawks and the New York Knicks.
It can help you, too.
We believe the practice of mindfulness is a tool everyone should have at their disposal. Join Minds Over Matter at CAMP Rehoboth on June 14 from 7-8:30 p.m. to discover how you can benefit from a mindfulness practice. You will learn about the origin of mindfulness, the science and research behind it, and exercises you can utilize to help integrate the practice into your daily life. This class is open to all ages.
For more information or to register, contact Sal Seeley.