The Benefits of Mindfulness to You

There are yet more benefits to being mindful than just the health and business benefits. This value lies in the fact that mindfulness can help you think of your values, assumptions, alternate responses, and desired outcomes before you act.

When you practice mindfulness:

• You become consciously aware of where you are focusing. This means you are not on auto-pilot and mindlessly going through your day and responding without really thinking.
• The actions and behaviors you take have more meaning. You become acutely aware of your intent and goals. There is an awareness of how you speak to people and act towards them and how they are speaking and acting towards you.
• By living in the present, you avoid focusing on the past or looking too far ahead in the future. Mindfulness helps you learn the important lessons from your past but not to ruminate on past decisions. Additionally, while planning for the future is important, too much focus can distract you from the present.
• Resist passing judgment on others and choose to approach them with kindfulness, openness, and a desire to appreciate their experiences that might be influencing their decisions. In other words, someone who is angry at you may not be angry with your but dealing with a difficult situation and taking it out on you. Mindfulness opens the door to many other possible reactions that someone is experiencing.

Terri

 Terri Sitrin, LCSW, ACSW, CEAP | EAP Consultant, Dallas District | USPS EAP

214-353-6996 | TLSitrin@magellanhealth.com

Magellan Health Inc.,  2341 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX  75220-4415 Go to www.EAP4YOU.com or call 800-EAP-4YOU (800-327-4968) TTY: 877-492-7341

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