Why Mindfulness Matters

Mindfulness is a massive topic. You’re probably here because you feel you need to make some sort of change. And that’s amazing. But why mindfulness? What’s the point of it all? (Jump into this other article I wrote about having a bad day, and this one about breathing for anxiety – both important aspects of this whole thing.)

I’ve been talking about slowing down in the TYR membership for few weeks, and this topic has been a huge reminder for me about why this is important.

The biggest takeaway, and one of the biggest reasons to practice mindfulness, is this:

If you don’t take the breaks your head, your body, and your nervous system need to be healthy and to actually to keep going sustainably (key word), your body will take them for you.

And you can bet your arse they’ll be at a really inconvenient time.

It’s not okay to have panic attacks or anxiety attacks, to be dehydrated, to be starving yourself (hello dieters), to be chronically overwhelmed, or whatever you find your body doing you’re not in love with.

Here’s the key:

Your work doesn’t come first. Your kids don’t come first. Your partner, parents, friends, garden and house chores, to-do list… none of this comes first.

The number one priority needs to be yourself; your body, your mental health, your physical health. Without proper functioning in these areas, what can you actually get done? How can you be a good parent? A good partner? How can you be good at whatever your chosen social or non-social human function is?

This is at the core of mindfulness; being present, listening to our bodies, and responding accordingly; taking care of ourselves so we can put good stuff out into the world.

I’m writing this to remind myself. I’m not doing this stuff either, really. I’m working on it though, and I hope you are, too.

Today, I think taking care of myself is eating chocolate and watching Ghosts on BBC (if anyone asks, I’m working hard). You?

If you’re feeling like getting some of our good vibes, take our Yogi Rockstar quiz and get a free half-hour class.