What Role Does Mindfulness Play in Your Happiness?
To shed light on the impact of mindfulness on overall happiness, we posed this question to eight professionals from various fields, including CEOs and medical directors. Their insights range from mindfulness as gardening the present moment to finding acceptance and clarity. Dive into these expert tips and discover how mindfulness can be your key to a happier life.
- Gardening the Present Moment
- A Doctor’s Prescription for Happiness
- Overcoming Challenges Through Mindfulness
- A Secret Sauce for Happiness
- The Mind’s Antivirus
- An Anchor in the Present
- Achieving Work-Life Balance
- Finding Acceptance and Clarity
Gardening the Present Moment
Mindfulness is a useful compass in the pursuit of happiness, directing people to a profound connection with the present moment. Consider your mind to be a garden, with thoughts and emotions growing like flowers. Mindfulness is the gentle gardener who, rather than getting caught up in the chaos of past regrets or future worries, tends to the exquisite flowers of now.
One learns the ability to pick the weeds of stress. A basic mindfulness tip is to conduct a “five-senses” check-in. Take a deep breath and observe five things you can see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell, and one item you can taste. This sensory exploration keeps you firmly in the present moment and turns unhappiness into happiness by cultivating awareness of each passing moment without judgment.
Enric Robert
Marketing Manager, Silicon Valley High School
A Doctor’s Prescription for Happiness
Mindfulness is the most effective tool I’ve found for increasing happiness. As a doctor, I would argue that it’s more effective than some anti-depressants at improving happiness. The effect isn’t instant, but if you consistently practice mindfulness, you’ll notice a gradual reduction of anxiety, a renewed sense of being alive, and more joie de vivre.
Many of us aren’t aware just how much of our days we spend in fruitless mental loops or getting lost in the “story” our mind is telling us. Gaining greater awareness through mindfulness is like having a completely new appreciation for life. Imagine waking up to a world that you’re genuinely excited to explore; that’s what regular mindfulness practice can do for you.
My top tip is to start small. If meditation feels too much, can you try to be fully present the next time you make a hot drink? Feel the temperature of the mug, watch the steam rising, and really smell your drink before you savor your first sip.
Claire Merrifield
Co-Founder and Medical Director, Selph
Overcoming Challenges Through Mindfulness
Every day, I am challenged by a decision: do I continue doing what I am doing and complaining about the results I have, or do I make a change?
Without a coach, mentor, or insightful partner, you could spend hours toiling about the change you wish to see, unless you practice mindfulness and awareness. You have the capacity to overcome anything you are faced with in this current moment. I challenge you to take a moment to think about how far you’ve already come.
My advice to you is to identify where you believe the limitation is, speak truth to it, and take action to begin doing things differently. Being mindful will help cue where a pivot needs to occur.
For example, I struggle with letting the mental obstacles I create prevent me from obtaining what I wish to see come to fruition. Through mindfulness, I create awareness of a story or lie I tell, and I give myself the chance to clarify. I would then choose to believe the truth about my obstacle and my ability to overcome it.
Anna Thiele
Leadership Strategist, Deliberate Directions
A Secret Sauce for Happiness
For me, mindfulness is like the secret sauce that adds flavor to my overall happiness. When you’re dealing with clients, negotiations, and the constant juggle of tasks, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Mindfulness helps me stay centered, making it easier to navigate challenges with a clear head.
One tip I’d love to share is to incorporate short mindfulness breaks into your day. Find a quiet spot, take a few deep breaths, and focus on the present moment. It could be as simple as feeling the warmth of sunlight or the texture of an object in your hand. This mini-reset can work wonders in recharging your energy and maintaining a positive outlook, even in the fast-paced world of real estate.
Samantha Odo
Real Estate Sales Representative and Montreal Division Manager, Precondo
The Mind’s Antivirus
Mindfulness, for me, functions like an antivirus for my mind. Its regular scans keep my mental system clean and efficient, multiplying my happiness. It keeps stress at bay and boosts my productivity by helping me seize the opportunities in the present without the clutter of past remorse or future worries.
A quick tip for practicing mindfulness? During busy work hours, take “silent logouts” for a minute or two. Disconnect from the virtual world, observe your surroundings, align your thoughts, and reconnect with your real-world presence.
Abid Salahi
Co-Founder and CEO, FinlyWealth
An Anchor in the Present
Mindfulness has significantly enhanced my overall happiness by anchoring me in the present moment, especially amidst the dynamic nature of the digital marketing world. It helps me navigate challenges with a clear mind and appreciate the small wins. A go-to mindfulness tip I employ is the “Pause and Breathe” technique.
Whenever the day gets hectic, I take a moment to step back, close my eyes, and take three deep breaths. This brief pause helps me recenter, ensuring I approach tasks with renewed focus and calmness. It’s a simple yet powerful way to maintain balance in a demanding environment.
Jon James
CEO, Ignited Results
Achieving Work-Life Balance
For me, being mindful means finding a work-life balance in my everyday life. Whether you have one hour or shorter, 15-minute blocks of time to yourself on a given day, it’s important to use that ‘me time’ to unplug and do something you love. It can be as simple as listening to music without answering your calls or texts during lunch, or taking an hour at night to exercise or play a sport.
Personally, I love playing volleyball with friends, and having that outlet allows me to de-stress and also prevents me from looking at my phone while I am out there on the court. When I am done playing, I feel refreshed, recharged, and ready to tackle the next task at hand.
Chris B.
PR Rep, Minuteman Press International
Finding Acceptance and Clarity
Mindfulness encourages acceptance of what is, reducing the impact of negative thoughts and feelings, and enhances the ability to respond to situations with clarity rather than reacting impulsively. One tip is to engage in daily mindful-breathing exercises. Take a few minutes each day to focus solely on your breath.
Kelli Anderson
Career Coach, Resume Seed
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