(19) Mindfulness

In one of my favorite classes, Student Development 109, we are working in groups on a stress management project. Mindfulness is the technique we have been assigned to research. We all know what it means to be mindful, it's to be aware or conscious of something. Mindfulness is especially helpful with reducing stress. When you focus on the present moment without reacting to your thought and emotions. Breathing is key to relaxing you body and mind. Although you can't completely turn off you mind, simply letting your mind relax and allowing it to drift like waves on the sea can reduce stress levels significantly.

Psychology Today says Mindfulness is, "a state of active, open attention on the present. When you're mindful, you observe your thoughts and feelings from a distance, without judging them good or bad. Instead of letting your life pass you by, mindfulness means living in the moment and awakening to experience."

What you might not have known.. BYU has great resources for stress management. If you visit caps.byu.edu, you will find amazing, FREE services offered to all BYU students. I would highly recommend checking it out and giving the meditation recordings a try. We found that this can greatly benefit students as well as anyone else. Some of the top benefits include, decrease in academic stress, improved performance, brain efficiency, reduction in anxiety, happier and more confidence.