How to develop a mindfulness practice

Janet helps us understand what mindfulness is using a quote from Dr. Jon Kabat Zinn: It’s about being present in any given moment. Janet then describes how all encompassing mindfulness is, as a way of bringing attention to what we are doing and thinking. She then describes the many benefits of mindfulness, including proven health benefits, greater resiliency, and lower distraction and anxiety. We discuss how our distracted culture overwhelms us, causing mental health issues and preventing us from being in touch with ourselves. Janet then teaches us how to begin our mindfulness practice. She explains the difference between formal and informal practice, teaching us how to start a formal practice, and how to experiment with our informal practice. We discuss how practicing mindfulness throughout our daily lives can improve our awareness and ability in dedications such as running, photography, teaching, and more. We talk about the educational benefits of mindfulness, particularly for students who struggle with anxiety and focus. Janet discusses her approach to teaching her own children about mindfulness. We return to the importance being in touch with ourselves, and how this affects the way we relate to other people. Janet warns us about applying judgement such as improvement to our mindfulness practice and how great it is to free ourselves from judgement. We discuss further benefits of mindfulness, and Janet concludes by encouraging us to try it and more importantly to keep trying and not give up when it gets difficult.