Dele Osisami is a second year MD/MBA candidate at the University of Louisville School of Medicine/College of Business. You can follow him on instagram, twitter, or linkedin.

Mindfulness is the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something. According to Psychology Today, mindfulness is a useful tool to use to help understand and deal with your emotions in healthy ways. Practicing mindfulness in your daily life has been shown to decrease stress, improve academic success, and even enhance your ability to deal with different illnesses.

With all of the work and studying that you have to do as a premedical or medical student, it is crucial to maximize your time and efforts. Mindfulness can be the key to that. Here are some helpful tips from mindful.org that you can use to help you incorporate mindfulness into your daily life:

Be present

• Being mindful is available to you at every moment. It is the essence of being fully aware of your surroundings. Instead of rushing to answer the phone or eating a quick meal on the way to school, take a minute to pause, breathe, and appreciate where you are. You would be surprised how this simple exercise can make a huge difference in your life when practiced regularly.

Body Scans

• The purpose of body scanning is to be aware of the different parts of your body. The body scan trains your mind to be able to move from detailed attention to a broader and more spacious awareness. An excellent way to start practicing body scans is to lay on your bed or mat and shift your focus from your big toe slowly up your body until you reach your head and vice versa. It is good to start with a guided practice.

Meditation

• Meditation is a great way to incorporate mindfulness into your daily life. However, it can be somewhat tricky as a beginner. An excellent way to think about meditation is to imagine thought as a car, and your mind is a highway. Meditating would be as if you are standing out in the distance, looking at the cars running up and down the highway. Remember, mindfulness is the essence of being fully aware. The point of meditation is not to be without thought, but it is to be aware of your thoughts while holding no judgments to them.

Yoga

• Yoga is not only a great way to practice mindfulness, but it is a great way to exercise. The physical practice of yoga is a great way to understand your body at a deeper level while building strength and flexibility. The basis of yoga is to perform physically challenging poses while grounding yourself by focusing on your breath. It is an excellent way to train your mind to remain still in challenging situations, something that can be very beneficial for daily life.