It definitely is no secret that college is a stressful time. Your workload can easily become overwhelming, and while pulling all-nighters to get it all done, your mind and thoughts can become just as overwhelming. While it is important to see a therapist or counselor when your thoughts seem unhealthy, practicing mindfulness is important to keep in check with your thoughts.
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of “being in the moment.” It is a form of meditation where you let thoughts ebb and flow, eventually entering a state of no thought, but a sense of awareness. It sounds ridiculously easy, but trying to meditate in the midst of a busy life can be more difficult than imagined. It takes patience and practice, but the little bit of time dedicated to mental health will always pay off in the end.
What are the benefits of mindfulness?
The benefits of practicing mindfulness are seemingly endless. At the forefront is stress reduction, a very appealing benefit to the modern university student. A loss of stress can lead to more efficient physiological functions as well, namely the immune system. Some of the other benefits include a stronger sense of focus and memory, allowing people to connect more deeply with others, forming stronger bonds. It allows for the practice to become more in-tune with their thoughts, thus gaining a greater awareness of themselves and the world around them.
How to practice mindfulness:
Block out a chunk of time to dedicate to your practice. Start out small, and then build up your time as you become better. There are apps and recordings you can use to help guide your mind to a more subdued state if you have issues focusing in silence. As you begin to relax, try to become impartial to your thoughts. Try not to control your thoughts, just let them come and go. Try to focus on your breath to distract you from focusing on your thoughts. Eventually, you will fall into a state of relaxation. When you are ready to leave, simply open your eyes. Again, it seems so simple but is incredibly difficult. The hackneyed phrase “practice makes perfect” rings true in this case!
Mindfulness is the somewhat hidden answer to a multitude of issues. As a modern college student, it can help decrease the stress that comes from schoolwork, while also increasing focus to help with studying. As we are becoming more open with mental health, it is important to look inward and know the health of our own thoughts. Being mindful allows us to do that in a simple and free manner.
Here are some sources if you’re interested in learning more:
https://www.mindful.org/meditation/mindfulness-getting-started/
http://www.apa.org/monitor/2012/07-08/ce-corner.aspx
https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/top-meditation-iphone-android-apps