July Mental Health Article

Mindfulness in the Middle of the Noise
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July 2, 2025

Mindful is defined as: conscious or aware of something; focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, especially as part of a therapeutic or meditative technique.

At its core, mindfulness means being aware. Being present. Paying attention to the moment without judgment. It’s a skill, and like any skill, it gets stronger with practice.

Sometimes we distract ourselves to avoid uncomfortable emotions. We keep busy, overschedule, reach for a drink, or tune out altogether. But our emotions—whether it’s anxiety, sadness, anger, or loneliness—aren’t problems to fix. They’re signals. They are the ways our body and brain communicate with us, asking us to pay attention.

When we numb those signals, we risk missing out on understanding what we truly need.

Practicing mindfulness can help us check in with our intentions, our values, and our self-care. It helps us pause before reacting, notice what we’re feeling, and choose what’s best for our health and healing.

It’s easy to let summer slip by in a blur—rushing from event to event, trying to soak it all in. But moments of presence don’t have to be grand. Sitting on a porch with your phone down. Listening to the sounds of nature. Laughing with your kids without checking your to-do list. Saying “no” when your body says you need rest. Saying “yes” to something that feeds your soul.

This season, I invite you to take small mindful pauses. Notice your emotions without judgment. Be kind to yourself and others. Respect boundaries—yours and others’. Celebrate in ways that are meaningful and inclusive.

You don’t have to have it all figured out. Just start by being here, now.

Resources:
Y360 Video: https://ymca360.org/categories/1537/videos/1541
Resilience Skill Sheet: Be Mindful