15 Amazing Mindfulness Benefits

Mindfulness is a matter of seizing the moment. Are you paying attention to this moment? Will you surrender completely in this moment? Can you be happy in the moment and have it be enough? If your answers are 'no', then read on to learn why to consider changing them to 'yes'.

Mindfulness is a matter of seizing the moment. During my time in the military, I recall completing a water survival activity which required everyone to negotiate several obstacles. When my turn came, I had to swim underwater nearly 50 meters through a simulated helicopter wreck, come to the surface, manually inflate a flotation device, and swim the length of a pool to a survival raft and await a rescue helicopter. Because of the risks inherent in this activity, my senses were heightened with each second, every breath, and every meter I swam.

I was equally aware that each moment drew me closer to the life raft and to safety. I was connected to the present and my condition. My body was extremely tired and weak and my breathing was shallow, but my mind was very sharp and connected to the moment.

The totality of this experience fortified my understanding of mindfulness. Simply put, mindfulness is taking charge of one’s life instead of letting life happen. Mindfulness heightens your awareness about your thoughts, feelings and surroundings in the present moment. It causes you to be present with yourself and experience what is unfolding in the moment rather than mindlessly showing up randomly to keep yourself and others company. Practice staying tuned in.

Restore your attention or bring it to a new level by dramatically slowing down whatever you’re doing. ~ Sharon Salzberg

15 Amazing Health Benefits of Mindfulness

Mindfulness can affect your well-being and your physical and mental health. There are 15 amazing health benefits of staying connected to the present moment. According to Harvard Health Publications, Harvard Medical School, mindfulness research has taken flight and the findings indicate, it plays a vital role in happiness. Here's how:

Mindfulness improves well-being

1. It supports many attitudes that contribute to a satisfied life.
2. It makes it easier to savor the pleasures in life as they occur.
3. It makes it less likely you will get caught up in worries about the future or regrets over the past.

Mindfulness improves physical health

Mindfulness

1. Helps relieve stress
2. Treats heart disease
3. Lowers blood pressure
4. Reduces chronic pain
5. Improves sleep
6. Alleviates gastrointestinal difficulties

Mindfulness improves mental health for conditions like:

1. Depression
2. Substance abuse
3. Eating disorders
4. Couples’ conflicts
5. Anxiety disorders
6. Obsessive-compulsive disorder

See also:

Mindfulness Skills for Bipolar Disorder
Mindfulness Can Calm Anxiety
How Mindfulness Can Increase Self-Confidence

You can also find Dr. Savion on her website, Google+, Twitter, Linkedin and Facebook.