Mindfulness-Let’s be present in present

Many a times we are just physically present somewhere but are mentally absent; we are hearing but not actively listening. This is because of lack of being mindful. Mindfulness helps us to take a tour to our inner world. It helps us to clear our mind and to fully focus on the present. When we focus on being mindful, we slow down, take our time, and focus on something in a way that is both relaxing   and stress free. In our student life, mindfulness can benefit us in many ways. Research finds that mindfulness practice decreases stress and anxiety, increases attention. Moreover, the hippocampus is critical to learning and memory and helps regulate the amygdala. The hippocampus is more activated, and produces more gray matter density following mindfulness training. So if mindfulness is such an amazing practice how do we cultivate it in our daily life. One wonderful way is to practice deep breathing. Take five deep belly breaths and focus your attention on your inhale and exhale. Repeat that three times and practice it multiple times during the day. Another way is mindful eating. Chew your food mindfully and notice how you eat. Do you eat fast or slow. Notice what does your food taste like? Feel grateful for each bite while eating. Another beautiful way is to take a walk in nature and notice your surroundings. Notice the beautiful plants, birds, people walking by. These practices will help us to be self aware and more mindful. The more we practice being mindful, the better we get at it.