Like any new skill, your ability to use mindfulness improves with practice. Also like any new skill, the more you practice it, the better you get at it. We see some athletes who benefit from mindfulness practice one time per week. Others go all-in on mindfulness, practice it 5-7 days per week and see great benefits from the practice. You determine your interval of practice according to the benefit you are seeking.
Mindfulness can be practiced in a number of different ways. Contrary to common belief, mindfulness does not need to occur during meditation. It can be completed anytime, anywhere, as long as you are shifting into a mindset of observing with curiosity and without judgment.
As an example, mindful walking occurs when a person notices what it feels like to take each step. It involves observing what one’s feet feel when walking and rolling from heel to toe. One might notice what it feels like to stride, including the muscles that activate during this process.
Another way to practice this is to take a mindful moment in class or at work to observe and appreciate all the sounds, sights, colors, and other sensations that you are experiencing in that moment. You might even take a moment to try this with your thoughts by observing whatever you are thinking about in the moment.
Anything you do that involves shifting to a keenly aware, observing mindset is building your ability to manage thoughts and emotions in this helpful new way.
