Hello friends,
Mindfulness helps us manage stress by keeping our thoughts away from regrets about the past and worries about the future. One of its key aspects is enabling us to practice kindness toward ourselves.
When we hear a friend criticize themselves, we often try to comfort them. Mindfulness encourages us to extend this same kindness to ourselves.
It also helps us make better choices in the present moment. By understanding our situation, we can make decisions that are good for us in the long term.
I believe the best translation of mindfulness in Turkish is Conscious Awareness, so I will use that term going forward.
Many breathing exercises exist, which I cover in my book, so I won't repeat them here. Sometimes, simply closing your eyes and noticing your natural breath is enough.
An exercise that I have found in various mindfulness books involves the acronym STOP, which stands for four English words. I've practiced this and shared it with others, and I believe it is effective, even if it is in English.
As we go about daily tasks like showering or dressing a child, we should gently push aside thoughts of the past and future and focus on the current moment.
In my view, this can be the hardest practice. Paying full attention to the taste, smell, temperature, and texture of what we eat and drink can be challenging, especially if we are distracted by a screen.
However, if you have the time to savor your meals, this practice should definitely be embraced, as it can also help you feel full.
Whether walking, riding the subway, or driving, mindfulness means being aware of everything we see, smell, and hear. We can use reminders, like traffic lights or signs, to help us stay aware.