Mindfulness: What is it and Why is it Important?

Understanding the Role of Emotions in Stressful Moments

Life can feel out of control at times, and it can be a scary place to be if you feel at the whim of your emotions. In moments of distress, our logical brain is shut down, making it harder to access the coping mechanisms that we might use if we have mental clarity.

How Mindfulness Supports Emotional Regulation

With some practice, mindfulness can help shift you from that fight or flight response into a more calm space, enabling that access to logic and higher thinking.

A Simple Mindfulness Visualization Exercise

Picture this: It’s a beautiful, sunny summer day on your weekend. You decide to venture out to a park near you and, lo and behold, you appear to have the place to yourself! You sit down on a metal bench, gently warmed from the morning’s sun, and you close your eyes. As you breathe, you can feel the slightly cooled air moving into your nostrils, a brief pause, and then you feel the warmth of your breath moving out of your body. The sun gently warms your body, and you become aware of the sensation of warmth on your eyelids, face, shoulders, chest, and thighs. As you bask in this warmth, you become aware of birds chirping in the distant background.

What Does Mindfulness Feel Like in the Present Moment?

Were you able to put yourself in this moment?

Perhaps you have had a similar experience where you were completely present in a moment without the need to change anything, even if it was just for a handful of seconds. That’s mindfulness. While we commonly associate mindfulness with meditation, there are many creative ways that you can incorporate this into your day. Bringing an awareness to the here-and-now can foster many benefits such as improved emotional management, increased resilience, and decreased stress.

Benefits of Practicing Mindfulness Daily

Bringing an awareness to the here-and-now can foster many benefits such as improved emotional management, increased resilience, and decreased stress.

Everyday Mindfulness Techniques to Try

Some of the following methods may be a good fit for you:

Close your eyes and scan your body from head to toe, focusing on the sensations or emotions that are present. Just acknowledge that they are there without a need to change them.
Bring an awareness to your senses. If you are enjoying a choice beverage or meal, can you focus awareness on the many flavours that are present, the temperature, the textures.
Close your eyes, place your hand over your heart, and focus on your breath. As you breathe in and out, bring an awareness to the sensation you may feel in your hand.
Do a sensory tour in your home, feeling a variety of textures. Do any of them evoke a particular response in you? Perhaps some of them feel better than others, or you may notice differences in temperature.

“Manifesting” a Good Life: Is this Pseudoscience or Legitimate?

What is Manifestation, Really?

In your social media adventures, have you ever come across a wellness influencer who swears by “manifestation” being the key to achieving everything you want in life?

I’ll level with you that I’ve seen this quite a bit, and perhaps I am giving away my algorithm secrets in telling you that my doom-scrolling online has resulted in this popping up often enough that I felt impassioned to write about it.

So, what is manifestation?

It’s an idea that if you think positively about the things you want to achieve, that they will come true. While this might seem like a magical pipedream, there is some truth to this.

The Science Behind Mental Imagery

In the spirit of hockey season, I’ll use athletes as an example. Our beloved Oilers have a sport psychologist who supports them with mental coaching as part of their professional training. While there are many, many aspects to sport psychology, we will just be skimming the surface today in discussing mental imagery.

Using Visualization to Improve Performance

Mental imagery is the act of closing your eyes and visualizing a positive outcome that you want to achieve. This could be almost anything: from you nailing that upcoming job interview, to McDavid scoring that game-winning goal in overtime. By mentally visualizing and rehearsing the positive outcome in addition to practice, there is the potential for better performance results than just practicing alone.

Research That Supports Mental Rehearsal

While this knowledge has been around for decades, recent studies are still supporting this theory that mental visualizing is a powerful tool. For example, a recent study evaluating young football players discerned that the men who did mental visualizing combined with practice performed significantly better on a vertical jump test than those who just did practice alone (Blanco-Ariza et al., 2024).

Practical Takeaway: Can You Manifest a Better Life?

So while you may not be able to “manifest” a good life, you can certainly use mental imagery and positive thinking to take some steps in the right direction. If you aren’t convinced, just remember that McDavid uses this technique, too!

Reference:

Blanco-Ariza, J., Reigal-Garrido, R. E., Domínguez-González, J. A., Morales-Sánchez, V., & Hernández-Mendo, A. (2024). Effects of mental visualization on plyometric performance and self-confidence of football players. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 131(5), 1770-1787. https://doi.org/10.1177/00315125241272724

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is mindfulness, really?

Mindfulness is the practice of becoming fully present in the moment without judgment. It helps you tune into your body, surroundings, and emotions in a calm and accepting way.

Can mindfulness help with anxiety or stress?

Yes. Mindfulness has been shown to reduce stress, improve emotional regulation, and build resilience. It can be a valuable tool in both therapy and daily life.

Do I need to meditate to be mindful?

Not at all! While meditation is one approach, mindfulness can be practiced through simple activities like breathing exercises, mindful eating, or sensory awareness.

Is manifestation the same as mindfulness?

No, but they can complement each other. Manifestation is about visualizing your goals and staying positive, while mindfulness helps you stay grounded and present through the journey.

Can LUWG help me learn mindfulness?

Yes! Our team includes registered therapists and wellness professionals who use mindfulness-based approaches to support mental health and well-being.

Ready to Cultivate Calm and Clarity?

Let LUWG help you take the first step toward a more grounded and present life.
Whether you’re navigating stress, looking to enhance focus, or exploring the role of mindfulness in mental health—we’re here to support you.