Based in New York, Greg Gerkens has worked as a special education teacher and school administrator. Interested in yoga and meditation, Greg Gerkens practices mindfulness to manage everyday stresses.

One common misconception about meditation is that it clears the mind and creates a blank slate. For many practitioners, meditation centers on recognizing and observing the patterns in which the mind has a tendency to wander. Noticing this wandering without judgment, the practitioner brings the mind back to the present and an object of focus.

Repeated over and over, through daily meditation, this creates a habit of being able to refocus when thoughts become aimless or engaged in self-destructive patterns. Through instilling mindfulness, the neuro-muscles are trained to resist reactive tendencies and overthinking situations, and quickly refocus on present circumstances.

The act of noticing with discernment, rather than judgment, where the mind is heading creates a purposeful, intentional pause. Thoughts are gathered, external stimuli weighed, and the best course of action moving forward decided upon. This process short-circuits the routes by which anxiety and fear can take over and override the brain, with negative consequences.