Mindfulness is the practice of being fully present and aware of your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings without judgment, fostering a deeper connection to the present moment.
The mind is a great tool for thinking and problem-solving, but it’s not great at quieting itself and being in the present with what is.
Most of the time, the mind is focused on the past or the future rather than in the present. That means it’s full of thoughts, stories, and narratives that don’t necessarily have anything to do with what’s actually happening at the moment.
In some cases, the mind may be caught up in stories that aren’t even based in reality.
Mindfulness can offer respite from a busy and cluttered mind, though it takes conscious intention and regular practice. It is the practice of gently focusing your awareness on the present moment over and over again.
Mindfulness practice is a way to gently retrain the mind to settle into the present moment. It’s kind of like becoming a parent to your mind rather than letting it control you.
By practicing mindfulness over and over with patience and compassion for yourself, you can teach the mind to be still.
Source: https://www.healthline.com/health/mind-body/what-is-mindfulness