It is important to pay attention to our experiences in general, so we can feel more present and engaged in our lives. In our busy lives, it’s hard to stay mindful: often we find ourselves operating on autopilot. When we are in auto-pilot mode, it’s difficult to see as clearly how our thoughts, feelings, and actions influence our lives, and our actions can be driven by our immediate feelings (e.g., irritability) and old habits (e.g., overworking). Mindful Awareness (mindfulness) helps us pay attention to our experiences in general, so we can feel more present and engaged in our lives. Being mindful enables us to explore the value of paying attention to our emotions, accepting them, and letting go of judging them. Mindful awareness is sort of like watching your life in slow motion. You begin to notice things you hadn’t seen before. And from there, you can make new choices. The practice begins by noticing when you become distracted from the present moment, and observing and accepting what’s happening with curiosity. It’s about coming back to the present moment - paying attention to thoughts, sensations, feeling, and our environment without judgment. People often feel relaxed when they practice mindfulness, but it’s not the goal. Think of it as a pleasant byproduct. Though many people think of the formal practice of meditation when they think of mindfulness, there are many mindful awareness exercises that are informal and easy to do anywhere/anytime. Taking a couple of minutes to just be still and focus on breathing is an easy-to-do yet very effective mindfulness practice that can help you build resilience. Other easy mindfulness exercises involve sitting quietly and focusing on your body, noticing any sensations with curiosity and without trying to change anything. You can also practice mindfulness at work by engaging your senses during a routine task; while you work, mentally move through your five senses slowly, one at a time, noticing sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch in the present moment.