What does the practice of mindfulness involve?

The practice of mindfulness involves being fully present and engaged in the moment. This means tuning into your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations without judgment. Mindfulness encourages awareness of the current experience rather than getting lost in regrets about the past or anxieties about the future. This focus on the present helps individuals cultivate a deeper understanding of their thoughts and feelings, potentially leading to reduced stress and improved emotional regulation.

In contrast, focusing only on the future detracts from the core principle of mindfulness, which is rooted in present-moment awareness. Ignoring negative thoughts goes against the intention of mindfulness, which is to acknowledge and accept all thoughts without judgment rather than suppressing or avoiding them. Similarly, practicing avoidance of stressors does not align with mindfulness, as it emphasizes confronting and accepting experiences as they are, rather than evading or escaping them.