The Power of Mindfulness

Mind full to Mindful - A guide towards stress relief for students

The world has become much more competitive now than a few decades ago. The rising competitiveness has resulted in issues like stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues, which many people tend to sweep under the carpet.

However, the problem here is not the rising competitiveness but rather the inability to handle stress. Due to the lack of stress management or stress elimination methods, people including youngsters are resorting to unhealthy and self-destructive coping mechanisms which are detrimental to their overall health. 

In today"s time, the need for stress elimination has gained quite a momentum across the world through Yoga, Meditation, mindfulness activities and more. Studies have shown that people who undertake mindfulness activities are happier and healthier both physically and mentally, thereby dealing with stress effectively. 

So here are some tips that will help you get started in your journey towards mindfulness and stress-free living: 

Yoga & Meditation:

One of the most popular lifestyle choices which has made a positive impact on people"s lives. Yoga & Meditation is one of the best practices which lead to mindfulness. It"s simple, effective and impacts the overall health ranging from physical to mental well-being. 

Exercise: 

How we feel entirely depends on how active we are. Regular exercises such as cardio, lifting, jogging, stretching, etc., elevate our energy levels and keep us pumped for the day. When the energy levels are high, stress levels diminish. So make sure you take some time out of your day and make exercising an atomic habit. 

Easy listening sessions:

When was the last time you heard a music album without interruption and mindfully? These days, we listen to music as a mere sound in the background, or many interruptions disrupt the joy of listening to music. While we have access to various artists across genres, ensure you take time out to enjoy and listen to them intently. 

Breathing exercises:

Our mind and breath are interconnected. This plays a massive role in mindfulness. Some ancient practices, such as pranayama, kapalbhati, etc., tremendously help reduce stress and anxiety, thereby aiding in achieving a peaceful, meditative state of being. When anxiety and stress reduce, there is clarity in thought and dynamism in action. 

Support network:

Starting a new hobby is a good idea, but staying disciplined is challenging. A little help from a support group or mentor will go a long way to help you stay on track and steady yourself in the discipline. So keep participating in group activities that undertake Meditation, treks, music listening sessions or even heart-to-heart conversations, as these activities will help you relieve the stress and sharpen the mind. 

Healthy Diet:

They don"t say “You are what you eat” for nothing. One of the basic foundations towards a healthy lifestyle is ensuring a well-balanced diet loaded with nutrients and minerals essential for the body to sustain. When physical health is good, it naturally helps in aiding mental health, allowing you to do activities that will help you achieve mindfulness. 

Mindfulness is not a luxury but a necessity. In an increasingly competitive world, it is crucial to practise and be grounded in mindfulness to be in our best form. Here are some of the reasons why mindfulness is necessary: 

Clarity of thought: 

Mindfulness helps us to focus on the present moment and to let go of worries about the past or the future. This can lead to a greater sense of clarity and focus, which can be helpful in both our personal and professional lives.

Connects with inner peace: 

Mindfulness helps us to become more aware of our thoughts, feelings, and sensations. This can help us better understand ourselves and develop a greater sense of inner peace.

Eases anxiety: 

Mindfulness can help to reduce anxiety by helping us to become more aware of our thoughts and feelings. When we can observe our anxiety without judgement, it tends to lose its power over us.

Aides in healing: 

Mindfulness can be helpful in the healing process for a variety of physical and emotional conditions. For example, mindfulness has been shown to be effective in reducing pain, improving sleep, and reducing stress levels.

Our overall health determines our presence and performance, regardless of our field. Following a healthy lifestyle and inculcating mindfulness in our daily routine will ensure stress-free and disease-free living.