What is Mindfulness?

Jon Kabat-Zinn defines Mindfulness as the “awareness that arises through paying attention, on purpose, in the present moment, non-judgmentally, in the service of self-understanding and wisdom.”

Mindfulness is the practice of training your mind and physiology to engage the Parasympathetic Nervous System to respond calmly and effectively to the relentless pressures, distractions and negativity we face today. By overriding your instinctive negativity bias and fight, flight or freeze brain reaction to perceived threat, you can shift your biology and neurology to think clearly, see others’ perspectives and speak authentically.

Mindfulness is the practice of present moment awareness, increasing your ability to see things with clarity as they arise. Mindfulness facilitates focusing and widening your attention with the intent of being fully present in our lives. When we pay attention to each moment of our life non-judgmentally, our intent is to be grounded in the current experience with a sense of clarity and curiosity. This is a state of mind that brings awareness, impartiality, deep calm and clarity into our day-to-day life.

During this time of the pandemic with so much ongoing change and stress on top of everything we were dealing with before COVID, I am sure you can see how non-judgmental reflection can support you. Mindfulness can help people who deal with chronic illnesses, menopause, anxiety, mood disorders, sleep challenges and stress disorders, just to name a few.