Listen to this blog: https://anchor.fm/meghan-greenwood/episodes/Be-Still-erd7sq

Meditation, mindfulness. These words are commonly used in contemporary media, but are often surrounded by an aura of unknown. What exactly does it mean? Do I have to buy into expensive products or classes? Will I be able to do it? Can I really benefit?

While meditation in and of itself ranges in practice, frequency, and intensity, the foundation – mindfulness – can be incorporated in every thing you do, every day.

As defined by Greater Good Science Center at UC Berkeley, mindfulness means maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment, through a gentle, nurturing lens.

Being present. Being still. Not letting the mind wander but instead, focusing on all of our sensations while we are doing something.

For example, when is the last time you actually ate a meal? I mean, really tasted the flavors on your tongue, listened to the chewing, smelled the aroma, looked at the colors on your plate, perhaps touched the items? If you’re a multi-tasker or easily distracted (like me), your mind is probably on to the next item on the agenda whilst scarfing down dinner.

Mindfulness can not only help us to slow down the chaos, but it can most definitely bring an awareness and appreciation of the little things around us – The little things we often take for granted or don’t even realize are crucial to our everyday.

And this practice can easily translate across actions, with little to no cost. It’s a matter of paying attention and being fully engaged in what we’re doing.

Perhaps a hard sell for the technologically-driven world we live in, but certainly one worth at least trying.

Take a moment to fully be in the moment.