Understanding mindfulness – emotions, thoughts and moods
From the book – Chapter 5: Emotions, Feelings, Thoughts and Moods
Mindfulness
Mindfulness means paying attention to the present moment, on purpose, with openness and without judgement. It is not about emptying the mind or feeling calm all the time. Studies show that regular practice lowers stress, reduces relapse in depression, and improves attention and emotional balance.
Simple practices
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Mindful breathing: sit comfortably, follow the sensation of the breath. When the mind wanders (it will), gently bring it back. Start with three to five minutes.
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Body scan: move attention slowly from your toes to your head, noticing sensations.
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Mindful walking: feel each step, the air, the sounds.
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Mindful eating: take the first three bites slowly, noticing taste and texture.
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Five senses check: name five things you see, four you touch, three you hear, two you smell, one you taste.
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Everyday mindfulness: brush your teeth, wash dishes, or drink tea with full attention.
Read the full chapter – Chapter 5: Emotions, Feelings, Thoughts and Moods
Stories from real life
- Not Angry, Just Tired – Sana, thirty-three, worked as an accountant in Hyderabad. For nearly a week she had been in what she called 'a mood'. She snapped at the auto…
- I Always Fail – Vikram, forty, was an engineer in Chennai who had just delivered a client presentation. Most of it went well, but one slide had a mistake and…
- The Pressure Cooker at Home – Mr Deshmukh, fifty-five, was a bank clerk in Nagpur known for his short fuse. One evening his son Aditya came home late. Mr Deshmukh shouted, slammed…
- Three O’Clock Worries – Elena, twenty-eight, was a graphic designer living in Madrid. Most nights she woke at three with her mind running: Did I send the right file? What…
Shloks
- Bhagavad Gita 2.62–2.63 – Dwelling on objects, attachment is born; from attachment, desire; from desire, anger. From anger, delusion; from delusion, loss of memory; from loss of memory, ruin of…
More on this topic: Emotions, anger and mood swings – understanding your feelings
More questions
- Simple practices – mindfulness
- Understanding self-compassion – emotions, thoughts and moods
- Understanding gratitude, meaning, and strengths – emotions, thoughts and moods
- Understanding managing anger – emotions, thoughts and moods
- Understanding handling rumination and worry – emotions, thoughts and moods
- What is true: the Cognitive Triangle shows the interconnection between…?
- Which is an example of "all-or-nothing thinking" (a cognitive distortion)?
- Which is a HEALTHY emotional coping strategy?
- What is true: emotions are best described as…?
- What is true: moods differ from emotions because moods are…?
- How to stop overthinking and worrying
- How to control anger