Mindfulness is often misunderstood, but it is a practice that can be incorporated into everyday life.

It takes an average of 66 days to form a habit, and mindfulness is no different.

It is not about emptying the mind, but rather about fully immersing yourself in the present moment.

Here are some common misconceptions about mindfulness, along with clarifications:

●Mindfulness is about emptying the mind. This is false.

The purpose of the mind is to think and feel, and mindfulness involves befriending the mind rather than trying to switch it off1.

It is about focusing your awareness on the present moment, such as the taste of a banana, for example.

●Mindfulness is the same as meditation.

Although related, they are not the same. Meditation is a formal practice of mindfulness, done at a specific time and place, whereas mindfulness can be done anywhere2.

●Mindfulness is easy. This is also false.

It is a simple practice, but it takes time to reframe your mind and develop new thought patterns.

●You can multitask while being mindful. This is false, as mindfulness involves doing one thing at a time.

Multitasking is actually just switching between tasks, rather than focusing on one thing with full awareness.

How Mindfulness Works

Mindfulness can alter brain function by creating new neural pathways.

With practice, you can learn to sift out thoughts and feelings without becoming emotionally caught up in them.

For example, you can acknowledge an emotion, such as anger, without letting it control you.

You can practice mindfulness in simple, everyday activities such as eating lunch or driving a car.

The key is to be present and fully focused on the activity.

We tend to run on automatic in our daily lives.

Mindfulness asks you to be in control of what you’re doing instead of leaving it to your subconscious.

Benefits of Mindfulness

●Mindfulness can improve memory, emotional regulation, and mood.

●It can help you process challenging emotions without resorting to distractions like alcohol or social media.

●Mindfulness can lower blood pressure. Learning to regulate breathing and calm the nervous system are essential skills for lowering blood pressure.

●A breathing technique of inhaling for four seconds, holding for four, and exhaling for five or six seconds can help the body enter a calmer state.

●Starting with just three minutes a day can help you build the habit.

Overall, mindfulness is a skill that takes time to learn and practice. However, the benefits of mindfulness, including improved emotional regulation and reduced blood pressure, make it a worthwhile pursuit.