Mindfulness: The Good, the Bad, and the Effective

I just saw an article in Forbes about meditative strategies to relieve stress at work, and I typically prefer to let go of things that I do not find valuable and move on, but this time I need to say something.

The world is offering “mindfulness” techniques every time I turn around. Some of them are good and effective and some are quite simply garbage.

As a leadership coach, former pastor, and martial arts instructor I am supportive of taking time to learn control of yourself for the sake of finding peace. I teach practices in my dojo, have a course on meditation I offer, and even use meditation techniques myself.

Still, I just want to warn you that some mindfulness “experts” are giving out ideas that may work temporarily, but quite frankly, will not make a lasting difference if they are not repeated over and over again. So, can I give you some suggestions to watch for?

1.       Physical Activity

 Many “mindfulness” practices include a simple physical activity that will allow you to change your focus from a point of stress to the world around you. This is good but be careful that the activity is something you are willing to repeat no matter who is watching.

 Often the need to gain quick stress release will need us to use our body, but if you’re flapping your arms like a chicken, you may spend more time feeling silly and not get real relief. Furthermore, you won’t want to do this in the middle of a business meeting.

 Instead try simply opening your hands and imagining a release of whatever is giving you stress.

2.       Breathing

 Measured breathing is one of the most used and most effective forms of stress relief. Four counts in, four counts out. Breath into your belly not your lungs alone. Breath in through your nose and out through your mouth. This practice is known in some military circles as “combat breathing.” It is simple and effective.

 But I saw one mindfulness “expert” suggesting Lamaze breathing can help with pain and stress. Maybe, temporarily, but in an intense business meeting, if you start “hee-hee-whoing” you are probably asking for trouble.

 Four-count breathing will serve you much better and can be done in any setting.

3.       Others

 While mindfulness of self and our own body can offer temporary relief, a better way to gain lasting relief is to use mindfulness practices to consider how we will deal with others around us with more positivity, and how we create safety for them.

 Lasting peace comes through relationships. The more we are mindful of others the quicker we will be able to create an atmosphere in which positive and encouraging culture give us freedom to act and move with clarity and purpose, even when situations are stressful.

 Be mindful of others first, this will have a much longer effect of relieving stress.

 Photo by Motoki Tonn on Unsplash