Mindfulness is a skill that involves focusing attention on the present moment, rather than dwelling on the past or thinking about the future. Mindfulness can be practiced anytime and anywhere, but that does not mean that it is easy to focus our minds on the present moment.

With so many different distractions in today’s society, it could be difficult to take time to focus on the present. Whether it is worrying about a task that is due or an assignment you may have messed up on in the past, one must always be able to focus on the task at hand at the present moment.

For Marines, mindfulness is essential to manage stress and increase resilience, which reinforces readiness. The work to achieve these goals can be done in their personal time.

Take time to notice all thoughts and feelings. It is very easy to get caught up in tasks, especially during working hours that we become numb to our own thoughts and feelings.

Setting aside time and space is an easy way to shift from ‘doing’ mode to ‘being’ mode. Our minds often get distracted with thought and tend to wander off. It is important to be able to recenter to stay present in the moment.

Practicing mindfulness can help with stress recovery, improve the immune system, and assists with better sleep habits. Marines can look to their local installation fitness programs where Health Promotion and Human Performance Specialists can advise them on additional mindfulness practices.