The purpose of mindfulness meditation is to help us be at peace with our present.
It requires that you do nothing more than sit comfortably, only pay attention to your breath as you breathe in and breathe out, and bring your attention back to focusing on your breath once your mind starts to wander.
That is all it asks of you. And while it’s simple in nature, it holds powerful benefits that have the potential to realign us mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually.
As black women, we are disproportionately affected by high levels of stress, anxiety, and other forms of emotional and mental chaos in comparison to other races of women.
This is largely due to the demands that are made on us because of our race, gender, identities, and respective roles with our families and communities.
It is important, black woman, that you find time to sit and be still; To make no demands on yourself, to not think too far into the future or too deep into the past, to not ponder all the ways you need to help and serve others in any capacity.
Give yourself permission to just breathe and be—that’s all.
Creating space for this type of mindfulness for 30 minutes, 20 minutes, and even 10 minutes a day gives you the opportunity to put your life on a more peaceful path.
Controls Stress and Anxiety Levels
Stress and anxiety take place when we begin to worry about all of the things we cannot control or events that are not even guaranteed to happen.
Stress comes from situations like looking at your to-do list and worrying that you won’t be able to get all of your tasks done in a day. Anxiety comes when you sit in that stress and start to worry about all of the negative “what-ifs” that could happen.
Notice how you tailspin yourself when you are stressed or anxious; You give all your energy to things that aren’t even happening at that very moment.
This robs you of your mental clarity, emotional control, and ability to prevent all of the problems you’re worried about from happening in the first place.
Mindfulness meditation teaches you to stay present so that you are in control of your thoughts, feelings, and situations, instead of letting them be in control of you.
Mindfulness Meditation Enhances Self Awareness
Sometimes we get in our own way and don’t even know it. It actually doesn’t take much effort to fall into bad habits and negative thinking, and before you know it, it’s just your natural way of being.
When you practice mindfulness, it helps you become more aware of the things you are doing, saying, thinking, and believing. Once you clearly see yourself for who you are, you’re able to make better decisions for yourself and your life as a whole.
Improves Emotional Health
Numerous studies have shown that consistent meditation improves your mood, aids in depression prevention, and creates an inclination toward extending positivity to others and yourself.
These habits and behaviors improve the overall quality of your life which ultimately brings you closer to healthy emotional patterns and general fulfillment.
Do you meditate? here are a few apps, that can help you on your journey to mastering mindfulness meditation.
For the guys! Here are 10 easy ways men can reduce stress.
