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5 Myths of Mindfulness 

Myth #1

Mindfulness means thinking positive thoughts.

Although it doesn't often serve us to ruminate on negative thoughts, mindfulness is more accurately described as observing your thoughts or feelings without becoming attached to them.

Myth #2

Mindfulness means sitting still.

While sitting still does help with focus, the ultimate goal is to be present. For example, if you're shopping for produce at your local outdoor market, you're aware of the vibrant colors of the fruits and vegetables lined up beautifully at each stall. You smell mini donuts fresh out of the fryer and feel the sun's warmth on your face. You're experiencing all of it as it happens without distraction. Without getting lost in thought.

Myth #3

Mindfulness means not thinking at all.

Unfortunately, it's almost impossible for our brains to stop thinking. Mindfulness is more accurately defined as noticing your thoughts rather than ignoring them or trying to turn them off. Ideally, you observe your thoughts as something separate from you without engaging in the story your mind is creating.

Myth #4

Mindfulness means always being present.

In essence, mindfulness is becoming more frequently aware of and engaged in the present moment. Over time, it gets easier to focus entirely on the experience that is happening right now.

Myth #5

Mindfulness is a breathing exercise.

Although mindfulness emphasizes breathwork, it's simply to provide a focus for your attention. Breath is rhythmic, calming the soul, and is ever-present, serving as an anchor for your attention. Mindfulness would be more accurately described as an attention exercise rather than a breathing exercise.

How Mindfulness Supports Your Physical Well-Being

It enables you to get more done in less time with fewer mistakes.

Mindfulness creates new pathways of thought, promoting corpus callosum regeneration, which strengthens the connection between the right and left brain. Harmonizing the right and left brain increases focus and concentration, helping organize your thoughts. Mindfulness sparks creativity, increases memory retention, optimizes mental health, promotes clear thinking, and increases a sense of connection with others.

Through mindfulness activities, you promote the brain's neuroplasticity, which is its ability to repair and renew itself. Neurons that fire together wire together, creating new neural pathways.

It contributes significantly to a feeling of connection with others.

There is said to be a universal sense of oneness in people who practice mindfulness. If you're feeling isolated, lonely, or depressed, mindfulness can help. You can expect to experience more joy, have higher self-esteem, and be more empathetic.

A 2010 Brigham Young University study revealed that social connections boost our odds of survival by a solid 50%! So, you can expect to live longer too!

It makes you a kinder, more compassionate human being.

Being present redirects your focus away from self-centeredness. It emphasizes the things that bring you joy and fill you with gratitude.

It strengthens your immune system.

Giving lights up the right anterior dorsal insula, the area highly engaged when participating in mindfulness activities. It allows you to look beyond your problems, tap into compassion, and feel deeply connected to what matters most to you and others.

Did you know that our pleasure centers are activated when we give to a charity or an individual? It's as satisfying as scrolling through Tik Tok or buying something on Amazon. And it's contagious! When you give from the heart without expectation, you inspire others to do the same. This kind of compassion benefits you in more ways than just one. It also strengthens your immune system and adds years to your life.

It makes you happy, literally.

Mindfulness increases the happiness factor with its limitless positive psychological benefits. Doctors even prescribe mindfulness and meditation as therapy because the practice gradually helps to direct focus on the present moment while weakening the grip of past regrets and future worries.

It makes you smarter!

It increases the density and surface area of your gray matter, which leads to increased intelligence, decreased anxiety & depression, improved decision-making, more processing power, stronger willpower, and better health.

It helps you sleep.

It relieves insomnia by encouraging your brain to release melatonin, the chemical necessary for REM sleep.

Make mindfulness part of every day!

Do calming physical exercises like hiking, kayaking, working out, or swimming. Care for your garden or plants, meditate, do yoga, laugh till your belly hurts, express gratitude, or spend time with animals. Believe it or not, even mundane tasks like washing dishes or folding laundry can be mindful!