First of all, don't get me wrong - I'm in no way trying to demonize social media or modern technology. They are in many ways the very foundation of our current society. I think we can all agree, though, that these things take up a lot of our time.

We live in a time where we almost never have to be bored. Whether we're on the bus, waiting for water to boil, or something entirely different; we can grab our phones to access endless forms of entertainment. Although this is wonderful in many ways, it comes with consequences. One of them being the fact that we risk being less in touch with our own thoughts. If we revert to our phones every spare minute we have, that leaves very little room for peaceful contemplation. 

This is where mindfulness comes in. As Professor Jon Kabat-Zinn worded it, "Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way: on purpose, in the present moment, and non-judgmentally". Mindfulness is a way of bringing your attention to external and internal experiences occurring in the present moment.

Mindfulness has roots in Buddhist traditions and has become increasingly popular in the West since the 1970s. By getting in touch with one's own thoughts and surroundings, one can reduce stress and regain focus. It's a great way to take a break from always being online and influenced by impulses from social media. Clinical studies have also shown that mindfulness can have a positive effect on individuals who experience psychological conditions like depression or anxiety.

Mindfulness is practised through various forms of meditation, and I am going to suggest two types of meditation to try yourselves. Of course, there are many other ways that can easily be looked up online if you are curious.

The body scan
You begin by laying on a flat surface, like the floor or a bed. You start by focusing all your attention on your head, and move it systematically all the way through your body. Don't forget your fingertips or toes. This trains your mind to move with detailed attention. If you are about to fall asleep, or your attention starts to drift - take a deep breath, and return your attention to the last part of your body you remember focusing on.

Sitting meditation
For this exercise, you need to sit upright in a chair. Close your eyes. Focus on the sensation of your body being present in its surroundings. Feel how your body is leaning against the back of the chair, and how your feet are placed firmly on the ground. Listen to the noise (or the lack of it) in your surroundings. Pay attention to your breathing, the sensation of air passing through your nostrils and going back out. How your chest rises and falls with every breath you take. While you rest your attention on each breath, let your thoughts flow around you. Imagine them passing by like the current in a river. Whenever you get caught up in thought, go back to focusing on your breathing.

If you have ever tried mindfulness before, or have other forms or meditation you like to practice, tell us about them in the comment section below.

External sources: x, x, x, x.
Thank you to Fiskarna for the amazing layout.