

Moreover, according to the Cambridge Dictionary, mindfulness can be defined as t he practice of being aware of your body, mind, and feelings in the present moment, thought to create a feeling of calm. Essentially, it means being (intentionally) more aware and awake to each moment and being fully engaged in what is happening in one’s surroundings – with acceptance and without judgment. Mindfulness means living in the present moment. In different words, it’s a way of being actively aware of what you’re doing while you’re doing it. Hence, according to Yoga International, mindfulness can be defined as the informal practice of present moment awareness that can be applied to any waking situation.

It isn’t who you are.What is mindfulness? What are the benefits of mindfulness? Is it true it improves sleep and well-being? What’s the difference between mindfulness and meditation? Official Mindfulness Definition By The NHS And Yoga InternationalĪccording to Professor Mark Williams, former director of the Oxford Mindfulness Centre, mindfulness is about “reconnecting with our bodies and the sensations they experience” which means “waking up to the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the present moment.” Realize that the sensations you are feeling make for a fleeting experience, one that will soon pass. See how it feels, whether it is making you upset or happy, giving you pleasure or pain, just note it.

Allow life to be just as it is, without trying to change it right away, and without wishing it were different somehow. Acknowledge what is happening, just noting it in a calm and accepting manner. Maybe taste your first bite of food at lunch.”Ī simple exercise, known as R.A.I.N., can help us stay in the present moment and not get caught up clinging to the experiences of others, or our own emotions. “But it’s about shaving down the amount of time your mind is aimlessly wandering. “You don’t have to be perennially woke,” says Mr. This will help you be more present with friends and family, and also more refreshed when you arrive at the office. Do your best to leave work at your workplace. Try not to check your email incessantly when you’re at home. “You’ll feel better, and the encounter will go better.”Īnother good habit to get into is being more judicious with technology when we’re not at the office. “Rather than approaching that conversation as an opportunity to change someone’s mind, see if you can create the habit of trying to understand,” says Mr. In our response lies our growth and our freedom.” - Viktor Franklĭuring difficult conversations, see if it’s possible to listen to what the other person is saying, rather than just stewing in frustration. In that space is our power to choose our response. Can you pause before you react?” “Between stimulus and response there is a space. “Can you formulate a question around it? How does it feel in your body? Be open and curious. “These are opportunities for reflection,” says Ms. When this happens, rather than try to fight the situation, see if it’s possible to approach the situation with some measure of equanimity. Colleagues may let us down, promotions may evade our grasp and deadlines may pile up. Multitasking is a pernicious myth that is preventing us from getting our work done.”Įven for those who make mindfulness a habit, frustrations are bound to arise at work. “And the neuroscience shows that this daily exercise can boost the areas of the brain that have to do with attention regulation. By practicing mindfulness - simply coming back to the present moment over and over again - we can train ourselves to become more focused. When we constantly flit from one task to another, the quality of our work can suffer. One way mindfulness can help is simply by allowing us to improve our focus.
Define mindful professional#
“The information we’re being bombarded with can be anxiety producing and it can create a sense of disconnection that can overwhelm us in our personal and professional lives.” “We are encouraged in the workplace to be attached to an array of technology wizardry 24-7,” says Janice Marturano, founder of the Institute for Mindful Leadership. And workplace stress is becoming only more consuming, with email, intra-office chat tools and social media constantly competing for our attention, and often bleeding into the hours that historically gave you a break. It can be especially helpful to bring a mindful disposition to your job, which can be the source of significant stress.
