A Life Practice That Increases Awareness in Every Moment: Mindfulness

Mindfulness extends far beyond meditation, serving as a lifestyle practice that enhances awareness and attention in every moment. Gamze Gökduman Bayram from Borusan Cat’s Finance Department shares her journey with mindfulness, discussing its impact on stress management and how we can incorporate it into our daily lives.

What is Mindfulness?

Gamze defines mindfulness as “consciously noticing and experiencing the present moment.” She emphasizes that this state of awareness isn’t just a mental exercise—it’s a way of life that can be applied at any time. “Attention is the mind’s focus on something specific. Mindfulness, however, directs this focus toward both internal and external experiences, allowing us to observe the present moment from a broader perspective,” she explains. “This way, we can connect not only with what we’re reading in a book but also with the sounds around us, our breathing, and the sensations in our body.”

Although meditation often comes to mind when discussing mindfulness, Gamze underscores that mindfulness encompasses much more: “Mindfulness involves moving through life with awareness in every moment. Meditation is just one method that helps us achieve this state,” she says, highlighting the distinction between the two.

Simplify Life with Mindful Practices

Gamze continues, “In the fast pace of life, we often miss the value of the present moment. Our minds are constantly occupied. Mindfulness pulls us out of this cycle, reducing stress, improving focus, and enhancing emotional balance. When practiced regularly, mindfulness offers a state of awareness that leads to better focus, emotional stability, and an improved quality of life.”

She acknowledges the challenges of maintaining consistency in mindfulness practice but suggests that small changes can significantly enhance focus: “For example, try brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand each morning. This simple switch forces your mind to concentrate fully on the activity, helping you break free from other distracting thoughts.”

Gamze also highlights the importance of mindfulness in the workplace: “Nowadays, multitasking makes it difficult to maintain focus. However, mindfulness boosts efficiency by encouraging us to concentrate on one task at a time. For instance, focusing solely on a meeting during a busy day can enhance the quality of your work and lower stress levels.”

Discover the Secret of Living in the Moment with Mindfulness

Mindful living isn’t complicated, Gamze reassures: “Feel your breath, notice the beauty around you, savor even a single sip of coffee.” According to her, these simple steps can serve as the starting point for practicing mindfulness. Over time, these small changes can lead to significant transformations.

She concludes, “Our minds often dwell on the past or are consumed with worries about the future. Mindfulness brings us back to the present. This makes it easier to cope with stress and leads to a more fulfilling life.”

This practice helps us live more peacefully, attentively, and satisfyingly by paying greater attention to our experiences, thoughts, and surroundings. You, too, can integrate this awareness into your life and take the first step on your mindfulness journey.

Recommended Books

Jon Kabat-Zinn - Wherever You Go, There You Are
Jon Kabat-Zinn - Mindfulness for Beginners
Mark Williams & Danny Penman - Mindfulness: An Eight-Week Plan for Finding Peace in a Frantic World

Gamze Gökduman

Gamze Gökduman has been with Borusan Cat for 6 years and holds the position of Financial Team Manager.

Places continuous learning at the forefront of her life. Believes that change starts with herself and loves to share her discoveries and experiences along her journey of self-improvement. Strives to be part of social responsibility projects. Among her hobbies are tennis, astrology and reading books.