Mindfulness for Millennials and Really, Everyone!

Emerging adulthood can be a busy and stressful period of life, filled with overwhelming choices and challenges.  Life-changing decisions, new roles, uncertainties, and many other challenges can cause substantial stress and anxiety.  Many young adults often feel stressed that they don't have the time or energy to devote to taking care of themselves or finding solutions to their problems.

Here's a sobering fact if you are in the Millennial generation or are the parent of one.  The American Psychological Association reports that Millennials are the most stressed out generation in history. With pressure to perform or make an impact on the world, young adults often end up dealing with intense emotions and anxiety.

It can be overwhelmingly confusing to even start with meditation, as there is so much information and types to choose from.  A simple way to understand both is that mindfulness is a skill and meditation is a practice.  Sometimes, they are integrated.  According to NHS England mindfulness is “knowing directly what is going on inside and outside ourselves, moment by moment and allowing ourselves to see the present moment clearly".  Meditation typically means an intentional practice, formally done and most times seated or laying down. The focus is inward to increase calmness, concentration, and it is usually not to stop thinking, but to notice them only. 

There is a reason mindfulness and meditation have become mainstream.  Many people practice or use these skills to maintain emotional balance, improve clarity and to manage thoughts (which if it is on a negative loop, can cause stress and anxiety).

Key Mindful Concepts

·         Slowing down and becoming aware of the present moment

·         Reconnecting with our senses and noticing things around us.

·         Tap into body  and breath awareness.

·         Become aware of thoughts and feelings as they happen from moment to moment.

·         Allowing ourselves to see the present moment more clearly enables us reduce worrying.

·         Slow down and enjoy some quiet.

How can you use mindfulness in your everyday decisions and activities?  Here are 3 areas where a mindful approach will provide benefits and positive outcomes.

Reframe information overload and master your digital world
Tame your digital and tech world so that you are not a slave to your online existence.  Take a mindful approach to absorbing information and constant connectedness. Take time away from all electronics.  Utilize technology wisely to find wellness, healing and fitness groups, yoga classes, and mindfulness through online options and/or apps.  Make the most of these digital tools to help you reconnect in real life and enjoy healthful activities every day.

Detox from stress regularly
If you are overworked, burned out, have social anxiety or other mind body issues, then you need to become mindful and find a way to release stress in a positive manner. Some options to consider are guided meditations, breathing exercises, sound meditation and healing, energy medicine, creative art, keeping a journal, therapeutic bodywork/massage, activities in nature,  exercise, yoga, walking and anything that gives you present moment joy.

Improve your quality of life
To navigate setbacks and hurdles young adults experience on a daily basis, it is essential to use mindfulness as a way to improve well-being.  Overall, greater mindfulness is a tool and skill that empowers you on many levels, leading to better results and outcomes in all areas, personal and professional.  Through the practice of mindfulness, you can enjoy a greater quality of life while navigating the challenges that come with adulthood. 

Many of us crave a slower pace of life, one that has meaning and is centered on who we really are authentically. To achieve this type of harmony and balance, it is imperative to create a mindful approach to habits, choices and dreams. A mindful approach to life enables an individual to create a strong foundation of inner strength and can guide you to your potential while enjoying life to the fullest.

Founder of WellnessWisdom,  Suzanne Antal-Proietti  offers integrative wellness through a blend of holistic and creative healing modalities, including mindfulness meditation, intuitive life coaching, energy healing, sound vibration therapy and creative art.  Suzanne is a Certified Wellness & Life coach, Sound & Energy Healer, Teacher & Artist.   Contact her at 203-434-4209 or suz@wellnesswisdominspires.com