Want to be happier? 7 golden reasons why being mindful could be good news for you

By The Editor

In these stressed-out days, there are so many demands on our time and life has definitely speeded up.

Deadlines, money pressures, people problems. Your to-do list can sometime seem to be endless. But there is one thing that can help you to relax.

Mindfulness is the practice of purposely focusing your attention on the present moment without judgement.

Monks are really good at this. In fact one monk Matthieu Ricard was billed as the happiest man in the world in 2012. 

He is a man worthy to be studied. Neuroscientists did such that, and were stunned after he was wired up to MRI scanners and electrodes to what they found.

Ricard's brain produced gamma waves linked to consciousness, attention, learning and memory at levels never reported before.

What's more, the scans showed incredibly high activity in his brain's left prefrontal cortex compared to the right one, meaning he had an abnormally heightened capacity for happiness and the opposite for negativity.

Here are 7 reasons why mindfulness is good news for you.

1 Less stress and anxiety: 

Mindfulness helps bring our attention back to the present, allowing the mind to refocus and be free from those distracting thoughts.

2 Increased emotional regulation: 

By being more aware of our thoughts and emotions as they arise in the present moment, mindfulness allows us to experience them without reacting impulsively.

3 Improved focus and concentration: 

The act of purposely paying attention and being present, which is key to mindfulness, strengthens our ability to sustain focus and avoid distracting thoughts that hamper concentration.

4 Enhanced self-awareness: 

Practicing mindfulness makes you more attuned to your bodily sensations, thoughts, and feelings. 

5 Better mental health: 

Studies have shown mindfulness can reduce symptoms of depression and other mental health issues.

6 Boosted life satisfaction: 

By staying present and appreciating the current moment, mindfulness can make people more grateful and content, boosting overall life satisfaction.

7 Better physical health.

An estimated 80 to 90 per cent of all medical issues have been related to stress. Reduced stress should lead to better physical health.

So start practising mindfulness today. In boosts presence, awareness, acceptance, and focus - skills essentially for managing stress, regulating emotions, and promoting overall well-being in our increasingly distracted world.

Shane Dean is a life enthusiast and founder of the Good News Post and Good News Tonic and an inspirational keynote speaker for businesses and organisations. Email bello@goodnewstonic.com

(Disclaimer: The content on this webpage is not intended to constitute or be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.*)