There are three core principles of mindfulness. The first core principle of mindfulness is the ability to observe some of the activities of one’s mind and body as they occur, in real time or something close to real time. “This is a trainable skill that can be developed in virtually any adult,” says Perzan K. Irani, Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor and Director of IOP at New Method Wellness. ”By training our attention on what is occurring in our minds and bodies in the present moment, we can observe all sorts of activity.”  These activities include physical sensations, impulses to move or speak, images, moods, emotions, thoughts, and judgements of others. The second core principle of mindfulness is not reacting. Non-reactivity distinguishes mindfulness from reflection, and is the discipline to not react to or feed any of the associations or responses of the mind during the experience of being mindful (mindfulness practice). The third core principle of mindfulness is to not let your attention wander. “When your attention wanders during a mindfulness practice, you notice it and gently bring your attention back to the mindfulness practice,” says Irani.