Mindfulness and happiness go hand in hand in my world. Research has shown that a regular mindfulness practice can support feeling a greater sense of peace, happiness, and wellbeing.
One of the habitual patterns of the mind is to ruminate about the past and worry about the future. Neither of these habits tends to be helpful, nor do they contribute to positive mental and emotional states. Mindfulness teaches us to keep bringing our attention back to the present moment.
There is a difference between worrying about the future and planning for the future. Planning for the future is a present moment activity, while worrying about the future is not. When you notice your mind wandering to worry, try bringing it back to the present moment. Bring your awareness to the breath, and for a few rounds of breathing, try to focus on the rise and fall of the chest and belly with the inhale and exhale. See if you can use this present moment awareness of breathing to bring you back to a centered and grounded place.
Our brains have a negativity bias. This means that the mind will focus more attention on negative events than on positive events, in the interest of our survival. We can bring balance to this negativity bias by focusing more attention on what is good and right in our world and with ourselves. Whatever we rest our attention on grows.
With regular mindfulness practice, we can become more skillful at dealing with unpleasant or difficult events as well as savoring pleasant or enjoyable events. Life is filled with both difficult and joyful moments. With a greater focus on mindfulness and happiness, we can create a more balance in our lives and cultivate positive mental and emotional states that support healing, wellness, and creativity.
Jen Johnson is a mindfulness therapist and coach teaching meditation for healing, wellness, and creativity. Learn more about working with Jen.