Everybody talks about mindfulness these days. But what is it actually? Here is a short explanation that will make you sound like an expert next time a colleague brings up the topic.
Mindfulness is about generating greater mental effectiveness, so that you can realize more of your potential on both a professional and a personal level. Mindfulness has been around for thousands of years. In our work with organizations around the world, we keep the practice and definition of mindfulness simple and close to its ancient roots: paying attention, in the present moment, with a calm, focused, and clear mind.
What happens when you practice mindfulness
The ability to manage attention and focus increases. At the center of the practice of mindfulness is learning to manage your attention. When you learn how to manage your attention, you learn how to manage your thoughts. You learn to hold your focus on what you choose, whether it’s this page, an email, a meeting, or the people you are with. In other words, you train yourself to be more present in the here and now.
Overall health improves. Research has shown that mindfulness has a positive impact on our physiology, psychology, and work performance. At the physiological level, researchers have demonstrated that mindfulness training results in a stronger immune system, lower blood pressure, and a lower heart rate. In addition, people who practice mindfulness sleep better and feel less stressed.
This story was originally published on Forbes. Read the full story.