By Mahika Sampat | HealthWorks Peer Educator 

Mindfulness is the practice of paying attention in the present moment without judgement.  The goal of mindfulness is to be focused on the present moment as often as possible and reduce the amount of time you spend ruminating about the past or worrying about the future.  You can practice mindfulness in several different ways including:  

• Meditation 
• Writing 
• Art 
• Eating 
• Movement (Yoga & walking meditation) 

You can increase your mindfulness during any activity throughout the day just by paying attention to your experience. The benefits of developing a mindfulness practice include decreased stress, anxiety, pain, depression, insomnia, hypertension, and increased attention and focus. Check out the Mindful Making Self-Care Toolkit to get started today with your mindfulness practice.