Mindfulness – What is it and why is it needed?

In times like now, what we need most is to be and to stay mindful. What do I mean by that? What does mindfulness mean? As we stay cooped up and the novelty wears off and it starts getting to us, as insecurity sets in and the future looks shay and we are burdened by work and chores and some of us battling depression and with mental issues cropping up, the time is now to learn and practice mindfulness. 

I was introduced into meditation in 2017 and then on, I also took up healing and reiki. They are all forms of channelling energy that is around you to help keep you stay in pleasant grounded reality. 

Here are some definitions of mindfulness: 

Personal awareness and skill development that radiates out into our relationships, including the relationships we have at and with work. 

Mindfulness is the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us. 

So many people I speak to on an everyday basis are currently overwhelmed and trying to cope. There’s fear and paranoia on one end and unstable and gloomy future predictions on the other. 

Being mindful involves: 

• Self-Awareness
• Emotional Balance
• Relationship Management
• Social Awareness

Awareness comes with the alignment of body, of thought and of emotion by staying in a mental space which is in the now and in the moment without judgment and with a simple curiosity. 

Why practice mindfulness:

• It keeps the brain on a positive spectrum
• Benefits our minds and helps us stay productive and efficient
• It helps manage and regulate our emotions
• It reduces anxiety and depression
• It helps improve concentration, focus and attention
• It improves adaptability to situations 
• Aids with problem solving
• It facilitates creativity
• Increases empathy 
• Gives us the ability to respond with clarity 
• Enables confidence to meet the demands 
• Helps deal with uncertainties 
• Helps in fostering a present-focused consciousness

When you look at the world around you, there’s dis-engagement, there’s energy level issues of not being able to stay energetic through the day, there’s anxiety and stress, addiction to gadgets, lack of attention, sleeping trouble and so many other things that derail us from living good quality lives. 

By being and staying mindful, we can get more done yet stay pleasantly happy and manage our lives a tad better. It has helped me a lot in the past and continues to do so now. 

Try a mindfulness meditation exercise today and keep it up for a week and see the results work for you.  

The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.

Shreya Krishnan

Vice President - Marketing and Communications at Aon India Insurance Brokers

Shreya is a CSR Specialist and Corporate Grooming Consultant. Her interests lie in Activism, Dance, Theatre, Poetry, Blogging, Modelling, Acting. She considers herself an Earth Warrior and is an Event Anchor and Trainer. She is a Pageant Winner and public speaker.