A picture is worth a thousand words.  Would you rather be mind full or mindful?  How ironic that these words are so similar, yet they are on opposite sides of the spectrum.  I would venture to say that while we strive to be mindful, most of us are pulled in so many different directions, it seems counterintuitive to getting things done. However, looks can be deceiving.  As the benefits of mindfulness are coming to light, more people are taking a closer look at the powerful influence mindfulness has, and how it can benefit everyone that practices consistently.  Did you know that research has proven meditation improves academic performance at every grade level!  As scientists continue to study the various forms of meditation, they have discovered that educational outcomes are to a very real extent dependent on a student’s state of mind.  It isn’t just what is being taught that impacts academic success.  How individuals perceive their educational setting, teachers, and peers has a profound effect on their performance.  Perhaps the most important variable of all is a student’s own self-awareness, stemming from their hidden “internal” world.  This is where the importance of mindfulness comes in.

Practicing mindfulness daily can change your life!  Many people think meditating means taking away time from activities we “should” be doing. This used to be my mindset until I signed up for an 8-week course. It was a somewhat impulsive decision, and a fortuitous one as well. I am one of those people that has to be “doing” something in order to feel productive. Meditation seemed to be the opposite of that. Based on my own experience, I now believe that meditation is one of the most productive activities we can do. My daily ten-minute practice is having a profound and positive ripple effect, that is slowly permeating into all aspects of my life. I have come to realize that meditation is the great equalizer! While it isn’t a panacea, it is an important factor that is linked to professional success, and general well being. Speaking from my own personal experience, this is especially true when I am faced with a stressful situation.   Do you want to be happier? If so, learn mindfulness.

In a nutshell, meditation has many positive benefits. Start a daily practice and…….

 

1. Reduce your stress level

 

2. Reduce your anxiety

 

3. Reduce your chronic pain

 

4. Boost your immunity system

 

5. Boost your memory

 

6. Increase your success at work and school

 

7. Last, but not least, BE HAPPY!