Mindfulness: What Is It?

Being mindful means being present  in the moment and paying attention.

Mindfulness can help you slow down to calm  your mind, relax your body, and manage stress.

It can also help you recognize and feel  gratitude for the good that's happening.

A lot of people do something  called mindfulness meditation.

They close their eyes and focus on their  breath as it comes in and goes out.

And when they lose that focus, they gently start again to watch or  feel the ins and outs of their breath.

But it doesn't have to be meditation.

You can do something—almost  anything—else mindfully.

You can be mindful while eating a  snack. Let's say it's a slice of apple.

Focus on the texture. The feeling  of that first bite in your mouth.

The chewing sensation. Slow down  and become curious about that apple.

Is it tart or sweet? How long can you feel it  traveling down your throat as you swallow it?

If you just gobbled down that  apple, that's fine. You were hungry!

You can try something else, like  mindfully listening to music.

You might discover something  new in a familiar tune, such as an instrument you hadn't noticed before.

Or maybe you'll find out that  you're not just hearing the song, but you're also feeling it in your heart.

Or maybe the song moves you so much  that the little hairs on your arms rise.

Taking a walk is another  opportunity to be mindful.

It's a great way to pay attention  to what you see, hear, and feel.

What are you seeing that you  may not have noticed before?

Can you hear the crunching of  your shoes on the sidewalk?

What about the feeling of  the air? Is it cool? Warm?

If thoughts like your to-do  list show up, it's okay.

Just gently return to how the  ground feels under your feet.

Being mindful can help you respond thoughtfully rather than react—without  thinking—to whatever comes your way.

And it can also be used to appreciate and be  grateful for what's happening in the moment.

So now that you know a little bit  more about the meaning of mindfulness, try for just a minute to be mindful  about whatever you're doing right now, and see where it takes you.