By Kait Greer

I recently attended a virtual session on the basics of mindfulness, a great refresher for the start of a new year. Mindfulness can be described as “the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us” (What is Mindfulness? 2020).

In practice, I think of mindfulness as creating space between myself and my thoughts, emotions, and actions. In revisiting the basics of mindfulness, I was reminded that mindfulness for me is not necessarily that daily meditation I can never seem to prioritize, but opportunities in my day-to-day activities to push pause, take a breath, and reflect.

Mindfulness is holistic, and we should strive to incorporate it in all dimensions of our wellbeing including physical, intellectual, emotional, social, spiritual, vocational, financial, and environmental wellness (Stoewen, 2017). The past year has been challenging for many, and there are aspects of our lives and perhaps, overall health that may have suffered. This is where mindfulness can ground us and draw our awareness back to everything we do (or choose not to do).

My basics of mindfulness session inspired me to make a conscious effort to be more mindful and to create a personal self-care plan. I encourage you to join me! It’s as simple as selecting one activity for each dimension of wellness and establishing a timeframe to do it in. These activities need to be manageable but also fulfilling.

My self-care plan will include prioritizing time outside with my family at least once a week (physical and environmental dimensions) and limiting social media in the evenings, instead using that time to foster more meaningful relationships with family or friends (social and emotional dimensions). In following along with your own customized plan, you are fully aware of what you are doing, and infusing tangible, mindful activities throughout your day.

Best of luck on your own self-care adventure!

Sources

• Stoewen D. L. (2017). Dimensions of wellness: Change your habits, change your life. Can Vet J., 58(8), 861–862. Retrieved from https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5508938/
• What is Mindfulness? (2020). Retrieved from https://www.mindful.org/what-is-mindfulness/