[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.19.7″ background_image=”https:\/\/creativeedgecoaching.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/01\/Mindfulness-_sliders_01-7.jpg” background_position=”bottom_center” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”150px||150px||true|false”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.15″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.0.47″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.7″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#aacc6e” header_font=”|700|||||||” header_text_align=”right” header_text_color=”#aacc6e” header_font_size=”50px” header_font_size_tablet=”40px” header_font_size_phone=”30px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_letter_spacing=”1px” header_line_height=”1.1em” custom_margin=”-30px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.19.7″ text_font=”||||||||” text_text_color=”#aacc6e” header_font=”|700||on|||||” header_text_align=”right” header_text_color=”#000000″ header_font_size=”40px” header_letter_spacing=”1px” header_line_height=”1.1em” header_3_font=”Open Sans||||||||” header_3_text_align=”right” header_3_font_size=”25px” header_3_line_height=”1.4em” custom_margin=”-40px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.15″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.15″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.15″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.2″ text_font=”|700||on|||||” text_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.83)” text_font_size=”30px” text_letter_spacing=”1px” text_line_height=”1.5em” text_orientation=”center”]<\/p>\n
[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#aacc6e” divider_weight=”4px” _builder_version=”3.15″ max_width=”15%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”-35px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.15″ module_alignment=”center”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.15″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.4″ text_font=”||||||||” text_font_size_tablet=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet” text_orientation=”center”]<\/p>\n
Being <\/span>mindful <\/b>means paying close attention to what\u2019s happening in the moment. Put simply, <\/span>mindfulness<\/b> is about being fully present here and now.<\/span><\/p>\n Mindfulness is non-judgemental, open-hearted, inviting and observing whatever arises in your awareness. It is cultivated by paying attention, being conscious of the here and now, and thoughtfully focusing on whatever arises in the present moment, either inside or outside of us.<\/span><\/p>\n By intentionally practising mindfulness, deliberately paying more careful moment-by-moment attention to life, individuals can live more fully and less on \u2018automatic pilot\u2019 \u2013 thus, being more present for their own lives.<\/span><\/p>\n Though it has its roots in Buddhist meditation, mindfulness has entered the mainstream in recent years. Individuals, businesses and various other organizations have adopted mindfulness practices, recognizing its physical and mental health benefits.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”3.18.2″ background_color=”#f7f9fc”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.15″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.15″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.2″ text_font=”|700||on|||||” text_text_color=”rgba(0,0,0,0.83)” text_font_size=”30px” text_letter_spacing=”1px” text_line_height=”1.5em” text_orientation=”center”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider color=”#aacc6e” divider_weight=”4px” _builder_version=”3.15″ max_width=”15%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”-35px|||” custom_padding=”0px|||”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”3.18.2″][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.18.2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.2″ text_font_size_tablet=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet”]<\/p>\n Mindfulness meditation can be described as a period of mindfulness with certain prescribed parameters. Although the details tend to vary between one specific technique and another, the general concept that you spend a given period of time \u2013 usually, just a few minutes \u2013 going through a set routine of mindfulness exercises. These might involve closing your eyes and exploring the perceptions of your other senses, and\/or directing your attention to each part of your body in turn.<\/span><\/p>\n I regularly encourage my clients to meditate each day, even if only for 3-5 minutes. They have found this to make a huge difference to their stress levels and their ability to focus and get stuff done. Mindfulness meditation is not automatically the best path for everyone, but the results from an increasing body of <\/span>psychological studies consistently show<\/span><\/a> it is extremely effective for most people. <\/span><\/p>\n Directing your attention in a deliberate way to your experience of the present moment increases activity in specific areas of the brain. One effect of this is that when you choose to focus on input from your senses, your consciousness is not dwelling on subjects that cause you to feel worried, judgemental or self-critical. Another effect is that over time, because of neuroplasticity (the brain\u2019s ability to physically adapt its structure), practising mindfulness can improve your ability to learn and remember by <\/span>increasing the density of your grey matter<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”3.18.2″][et_pb_text _builder_version=”3.18.2″ text_font_size_tablet=”16px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|tablet”]<\/p>\n There are plenty of times when we are being \u2018naturally mindful\u2019 without making any conscious effort to exist in the present moment. Activities such as playing sport, spending quality time with loved ones, and being creative in ways you love \u2013 such as painting or singing \u2013 usually cause you to be fully present, with all your senses engaged, and living completely in the \u2018now\u2019.<\/span><\/p>\nBenefits of Practising Mindfulness<\/b><\/h2>\n