Last Updated on July 3, 2026

Are you familiar with “Mindfulness”? Do you practice mindfulness? Whether you have been practicing mindfulness or not, let’s get back to the basics, shall we?

The Origin of Mindfulness

According to Physiopedia, mindfulness originated from ancient Eastern and Buddhist philosophy and dates back around 2500 years. Furthermore, National Geographic (n.d.) indicated that Buddhism originated in South Asia, India, around the 5th century B.C.E.

Buddhists are convinced that human life is one of suffering, and that meditation, spiritual and physical labor, and good behaviour are the ways to achieve enlightenment (nirvana).

(National Geographic, n.d.)

In other words, it is about finding your own peace. It is never about putting others down to make yourself feel better or manipulating others to achieve your goals. Mindfulness practices teach us to live in the present, rejuvenate our mind and soul, and practice breathing. Of all the things that we take for granted, Buddhist philosophy edifies us to appreciate all the kindness, generosity, and goodwill that we have been given, provided and offered by people and Mother Earth.

What is Mindfulness

Mindfulness refers to maintaining a moment-by-moment awareness of our thoughts, feelings, bodily sensations, and surrounding environment (“Greater Good Magazine,” n.d.). Mindfulness can also be a state of active and open attention to the present, which encompasses two key ingredients: awareness and acceptance (“Psychology Today,” n.d. ).

To me, Mindfulness is a practical solution to brain fog and chaotic reality.

the pandemic and the rise of Mindfulness

Many countries/territories declared a state of emergency to help prevent the spread of COVID in 2020. It was a life-changing experience for everyone in the world. The fact that many are still living and adjusting to the post-pandemic life to this day says a lot about how difficult life was back in 2020.

I made a career change just before the pandemic. According to the list of essential businesses announced by the local government, my industry was not an essential business (odd, but it is what it is). Consequently, like millions of people, I was deeply concerned about my future.

Weeks later, I took my friend’s advice, starting a new way of living. I utilized online resources, prepared mouth-watering healthy food (healthy food doesn’t have to be dreadful), learned to meditate, and created an exercise routine and a sleep pattern.

my Mindfulness Practices During the Lockdown

Although meditation is one of the most popular activities in terms of mindfulness practices, it is one of the many ways to stabilize emotions and enhance the quality of life.

Meditation focuses on your breathing, mind and soul. As a result, the purpose of practicing meditation is to find serenity, which helps you stay calm and remain focused.

Note: Yoga is another well-known mindfulness activity. It is a form of exercise, and should not be confused with meditation.

1. have A consistent sleep pattern

I slept from 11 pm to 7 am. And I continued to do so until the restrictions were lifted.

2. stick to Healthy eating habits

I practiced intermittent fasting, e.g., skipping breakfast or dinner. My eight-hour window was between 7 am and 3 pm. In addition to fasting, consuming more protein, e.g., white meat and seafood and staying away from carbohydrates, refined sugar, salt, butter, and processed meat significantly improved my physical strength.

3. explore new Territories

I learned something new every week, i.e., learning how to braid, trying new recipes, expanding my horizon, and taking online professional development courses.

4. create an Exercise routine

Admittedly, I was completely out of shape at that time. Consequently, I had a hard time making exercise a habit. As a beginner, I started with a 5-minute body movement, e.g., a side-to-side hip swing. Eventually, I was able to follow through with a 30-minute hip-hop dance video on a daily basis – practice makes perfect!

5. start meditation

Starting meditation was one of the best decisions I made for myself. Although what works for me doesn’t always work for you, I still highly recommend trying meditation. I was a Type A person, so closing my eyes, and focusing on breathing for 5 minutes was too difficult to begin with. Getting started was the most difficult part. I took baby steps. I timed 1 minute and went from there.

How Practicing mindfulness has Transformed my life

Practicing mindfulness challenges my status quo. Because of it, I have lived a more mindful life. Although I fell back into old habits briefly, I managed to combat stress eating in the end.

Practicing mindfulness has transformed many aspects of my life, from my overall lifestyle to new perspectives on what healthy relationships and positive workplaces are.

Moreover, I would remind myself to go on immersive travels, such as a getaway or a day trip in my community, to relieve stress if I felt emotionally drained and overwhelmed.

In summary, my life has been greatly enriched by simply implementing mindfulness practices relevant to me. Relevant social support can be helpful at the initial stage. Feel free to take advantage of our resources and find what’s relevant to you!

References

Physiopedia. (n.d.). An Introduction to Mindfulness. https://www.physio-pedia.com/An_Introduction_to_Mindfulness

National Geographic. (n.d.). Resources library – Buddhism. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/buddhism

Greater Good Magazine. (n.d.). Mindfulness- defined. https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/mindfulness/definition

Psychology Today Staff. (n.d.). Mindfulness. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/basics/mindfulness

Begum, J. & Sharma, A. (2024, May 10). What Is a Type A Personality? WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/balance/what-is-a-type-a-personality