Some teens face constant pressure from family, friends, school, and societal demands. When pressure appears at every turn or doesn’t seem to let up, being young can feel tough! The tough moments might feel like a lifetime without the proper coping skills and supports. Thus, prioritizing mental health is essential even for young adults. If you or any young adult in your life is interested in improving coping skills and prioritizing mental health, learning about mindfulness is a great place to start.
What is Mindfulness?
In essence, the act of practicing mindfulness is the conscious act of being present in your body. Ideally, practicing mindfulness will allow you to only focus on the present moment, allowing you to experience complete calm.
In addition to being present in your body, the ultimate goal of mindfulness is to recognize and experience your thoughts without judgment. Again, this will help you to become calmer and more relaxed.
Benefits of Practicing Mindfulness
There are many benefits of practicing mindfulness. Some of these benefits include:
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Relief from anxiety and depression
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Mental clarity
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Improved sleep
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Decreased heart rate and blood pressure
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Lasting feelings of calm
Ways to Work on Mindfulness
One of the biggest benefits of mindfulness is that it can be practiced in dozens of ways. Different techniques work differently for everyone, so try implementing a few of the following to see what fits you best.
Focus on Your Breath
Breathwork might come to mind when you think of mindfulness. This is truly where you allow external stimulations to fall away, and you only focus on one thing: your breathing. If you are new to conscious breathwork, try box breathing. This is a technique where you breath in for a count of three, hold for three, exhale for three, hold for three, and repeat.
Tap Into Your Creativity
Flexing your creative muscles is a great way to get in tune with your body. Creativity can come from wherever you want. Painting, sewing, knitting, pottery, collaging are all art forms that are fun and playful ways to practice mindfulness. Remember, the objective is not creating something perfect. Rather, the objective is to recenter your mind and mood.
Find Movement You Enjoy
Moving your body will almost always make you feel better. In addition to working on your physical health, exercise releases endorphins, the “feel good” chemical in your brain. Endorphins help boost your mood. Be sure you find a type of movement you enjoy. If you do not like to run, try more relaxing movement. If you prefer high energy exercise, go to a dance class. The choices are endless.
Start a Journal
Journaling is the perfect activity to get thoughts out of your brain and onto paper. However, in order to maintain mindfulness, be sure you observe your feelings without judgment. Much like being creative, the journey is more important than the outcome.
Despite the difficulties that life throws at you as a young adult, I promise it does get better. High school and adolescence do not last forever. If you need additional support, seek out a mental healthcare professional. Our team of therapists and PMHNPs would be happy to guide you through young adulthood. Reach out to learn more about anxiety treatment and depression treatment at Mindful Mental and Behavioral Health PLLC.
