In our current age, trying to keep control of what seems to be an uncontrollable world can lead to issues such as stress and anxiety. In order to try and cope with this, there are many people who practice mindfulness as a means to stay calm and focus on themselves, overcoming internal barriers as a result. One of the most common forms of mindfulness is meditation, although there are many other practices that are available as well.
Though the benefits of practicing mindfulness are clear, there are still a lot of people who don’t engage with it for a number of reasons. These vary; however, what they have in common is the fact that they are quickly disproven. This article is going to discuss these varying reasons as to why people don’t engage with mindfulness and talk about how they can be disproven.
Reason 1 – It’s Just a Fad
No, it’s not. Wellness, specifically meditation, is something people from all over the world have been doing for centuries. Whether they have been in search for peace, happiness, transformation, or simply seeking to have more control over their lives, the practice of meditating has been something widely used by a range of different people from varying cultures.
Realistically, what you do when you practice mindfulness is gain control over one of the most precious things in the world, your mind. Its state is one of the most crucial factors when it comes to determining your productivity, how you behave, and your overall enjoyment of life. A person can be born with a silver spoon in their mouth and with access to everything; however, feeling miserable doesn’t discriminate. Just because a person may have these things does not mean that they can’t also feel anxious, stressed, depressed, or inadequate, so practicing wellness will help with that.
When you take the time to meditate, you are helping shine a light on your own consciousness. This means that whatever you choose to focus on internally, you are giving the opportunity to grow. If you can master this, then you are able to intentionally direct your attention towards something and keep it there, which allows you not to focus on negative thoughts, or, if you want to focus on them, allows you to overcome them.
Reason 2 – It’s Too Hard to Get Into
Again, it’s not. Arguably, there is still a lot that needs to be done to bring our attitudes towards mental health and chronic pain in line with our attitudes towards physical health; however, many practices are starting to see the need for improved healthcare surrounding the mind. Take, for example, ChartSpan, which offers patients Annual Wellness Visits. This is the same as an annual physical; however, it does not require a physical and focuses on all aspects of the patient, as opposed to just their physical health.
In order to see the benefits of mindfulness, then you will need to ensure you are attending such appointments and seeking advice where necessary, as what you put into your own mind is often a reflection of what you get out of it. It doesn’t matter how much skill you have or for how long you have been practicing meditation; if you go into it without strong expectations and rigid goals, then it simply won’t be successful.
Don’t think of wellness as a thing; rather, think of it as a process. The process brings with it several benefits, and the key to unlocking them is by mastering the process itself. Essentially, you will be letting go of self-criticism, comparison, and expectations as soon as they come up. You will be surprised at just how effective this is once you figure out how to do it. Sure, it takes time, but thanks to regular visits such as those offered by ChartSpan, as well as guidance apps and teachers out there, it’s not something that’s inaccessible.
Reason 3 – It’s Just a Fancy Name for Relaxation
Sure, one of the most basic effects of meditation is relaxation; however, that’s not just the practice but also the condition, as regularly engaging with wellness will help to relax the tension in your body and calm the breath. So, whilst practices such as meditation certainly use relaxation, they are not the same thing. Coupled together, you are able to improve your attention to inner feelings and dive into deeper states of consciousness than you wouldn’t be able to simply by relaxing.
The easiest way to think of it is, if relaxation is a starter then meditation is the main course. When you relax (and the subsequent benefits you feel as a result of that relaxation) are a glimpse into the benefits that you could feel as a result of engaging with meditation, mindfulness and wellness.
Reason 4 – I Don’t Have Time
Yes, you do. There is a misconception that engaging with such practices requires daily attention and hour-long sessions, but this really isn’t the case. Meditation does not have to happen in a silent room with nothing but your own thoughts; you can do it when you have a spare 5 minutes while waiting for someone, while you’re waiting for a bus, or just before you leave to go to work. Squeezing it in whenever you have chance is the best way to incorporate wellness into your everyday life.
Not to mention, if you made a list of all the different times in a week that you spent in front of a screen, whether this is on your phone, tablet, computer, or TV, if you set aside a percentage of that time to meditate, this would be more than enough. Just by making it a regular practice that fits around your life, you will still be able to see the benefits of mindfulness and wellness almost immediately.
Conclusion
The world can be an incredibly stressful place, so it’s important to try and stay on top of things within your control. One of the best ways to do this is by practicing mindfulness and wellness exercises such as meditation. There are lots of reasons as to why people don’t engage with this; however, as highlighted above, none of these reasons are particularly valid.
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