The Benefits of Becoming More Aware

Written By: Lauren Polzella, Medical Psychology Center Intern, Endicott College 

How often do you think back on your week and forget half of the things you did? Or step out of the shower and not be able to remember if you washed your hair or not because you were busy thinking about the meeting you have in an hour? Most of us tend to fall into the habit of just going through the motions each day, rather than paying attention to the little things in life, which may end up being pretty powerful once you stop to notice them.

Mindfulness is defined as a psychological state of awareness that promotes focusing on the present and becoming aware of each moment without judgement. Mindfulness is a state of awareness that can be achieved at any time, any place, and at any moment. Practices like yoga, meditation, or tai chi help to achieve mindfulness, however, mindfulness can be practiced in daily settings as well.
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There are several benefits of mindfulness on the brain and the body, like reducing inflammation in the gut, supporting better cognition and executive control, and improving mood, to mention a few. It is almost inevitable to be stress-free in our daily lives, but taking a few minutes to be mindful each day could make a huge difference.

​Other benefits of mindfulness include, but are not limited to:
- Reduced rumination 
- Stress Reduction
- Boost in working memory
- Improved Focus
- Less emotional reactivity
- More cognitive flexibility
- Relationship satisfaction 
- Enhanced self-insight 

If these aspects could be improved in your life, think about becoming more mindful throughout your day. Mindfulness is easy to achieve, quick to practice, and it will never hurt to take a few moments each day to become more aware, especially when it could result in becoming a little less stressed or anxious. You never know, those few little moments might have a profound impact on the rest of your day.

Reference: 
Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/07-08/ce-corner.aspx