I am Too Busy to be Mindful
The importance of using mindfulness to ignore the chatter and get results
The beauty of the present moment is that it’s always with us. As a result, every moment presents an opportunity for learning and observing, but only when we choose to be aware of it. Mindfulness is defined as being present, in the moment, and having a full understanding of where you are and what you are doing. Practicing it can have amazing benefits to stress, health, and relationships. These all sound like good things, but taking up a practice of mindfulness is difficult when you’re a constantly plugged in as a full-time student with a full-time job, a full-time family, and a full-time life.
Mindfulness is an evidence based practice that is trending on social media and in academic journals alike. Classes on mindfulness are now found worldwide in K-12 schools, hospitals, jails, and leadership programs. We might not expect mindfulness to take place here, compared with the stillness of the yoga studio, a walk on beach, or meditation in nature. However, mindful practices can focus us during both stressful and peaceful times.
Why do I need mindfulness?
We can find joy in the moment when we choose to engage, and we can help understand or even quiet our mental chattering. In doing so, mindfulness allows us to increase our ability to perform and complete tasks at a high level without experiencing further levels of emotional stress. Dr. Amit Sood, in his book The Mayo Clinic Guide to Stress Free Living, illustrates that the brain has many open file folders; the more file folders you open the more you have to think about, and the more you have to think about the more likely the file folders may overflow. Everything you’re thinking about can take away from what you are trying to accomplish and consider in the present moment.
What kind of time and commitment does mindfulness take?
Like any habit, mindfulness requires time and commitment. However, it is worth the work, since studies have shown health benefits of mindfulness include empathy, compassion and decreased stress. While some studies note that it takes up to 10 weeks of daily practice to form a habit, starting off slowly with a little time devoted to mindfulness, such as 10–15 minutes at the same time each day, will help you build your practice. Finding a specific program will also help your practice, whether in person or online, practices can range from free help to long term paid retreats.
How can I tune out the impulse of busy-ness and start practicing mindfulness?
It’s hard to sit, breathe, and take the time to try the practice — without being distracted. One major distraction is the smartphone in your pocket. The impulse and pull of immediate technology is a strong force in our lives. In a recent study, Deloitte found that Americans on average check their mobile phones 52 times a day. If you find that this is a problem, using a mobile app for mindfulness may take away from some of the impulse — your smartphone will be busy helping you instead of hindering you. Multiple studies have confirmed that using smartphone mindfulness apps can be the key to balancing distraction alongside developing a positive practice.
The benefits of mindfulness come reliably to those who choose to engage in a structured way, and luckily, small amounts of practice can pay large dividends in relatively short order. Even better, the more we practice and engage with others who are doing the same (through apps or in-person meditations), the more we grow and understand ourselves while accessing the positive benefits that mindfulness can bring to our lives. The time to begin is now.
