Mindfulness is the opposite of mindlessness. It means being conscious, being present, and maintaining a moment-to-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment. Being mindful involves non-judgment (paying attention to thoughts and feelings with the attitude of an impartial witness) without believing them or taking them personally. Mindful relationships are an extension of being mindful in our personal lives. By integrating mindfulness into our lives, we enhance our individual well-being and our relationships almost certainly become more mindful, positive, and compassionate as a result (Firestone, 2013; Francis, 2015).
Mindfulness is a powerful practice that, when used regularly, helps individuals improve their overall health and sense of well-being. Mindful practices are often part of relaxation techniques and they help reduce stress and anxiety. Mindfulness is also a central aspect of meditation-based techniques, many of which have also been found to be effective in reducing stress, lowering the risk of heart disease, enhancing immune function, and decreasing symptoms of depression (Francis, 2015: Roemer, 2002).
The primary areas of the brain that are affected (and improved) by mindfulness practice include the following (Greenberg, 2015):
- Anterior cingulate cortex (associated with self-perception; regulation of attention, emotions, and impulses; cognitive flexibility, the ability to change problem-solving strategies when needed)
- Hippocampus (associated with making new memories, supporting resilience)
- Corpus callosum (associated with more holistic, emotional, nonverbal processing)
Because mindfulness affects so many elements of the brain and the body, it results in increased empathy and improved satisfaction with relationships—including the relationship we have with our selves (Greenberg, 2015). Dr. Daniel Siegel defines mindfulness as the process of developing an awareness of the present moment that is filled with COAL—curiosity, openness, acceptance, and love toward one’s ongoing life experiences (Greenberg, 2015).