fbpx

Mindful Millennials

As millennials begin and progress in their careers, we are witnessing a shift in values. If boomers celebrated sex, drugs and rock “n” roll, this generation embraces well-being, purpose, financial security and mindfulness. 

Shaped by technology and social media, millennial multitaskers are ultra-connected, struggling with college debt and increased costs of living. Technology may have transformed relationships and collaboration, but omnipresent distraction can also produce dangerous side effects. 

Neuroscience has discovered that, not unlike a computer, our brains need to shut down occasionally in order to run optimally, or we continue to seek the next brain chemical dopamine “fix.” Millennials are increasingly recognizing the importance of mindfulness and meditation as tools for self-management. 

Millennials who saw parents working at jobs they did not like see working with purpose as their path to living a life of meaning. With a shift from materialism to meaning, MBGEnhance, a consulting firm, examined 6,743 mindful millennials and discovered that almost 8 in 10 meditate at least once a month. The biggest reasons for meditating were: “It helps me function better” (98 percent); “It makes me happier” (98 percent); and “It is a vital antidote to the stresses of everyday life” (98 percent).

Among millennials who meditate is Renzo Barredo. In 2010, at age 25, he went into the financial services industry as a way of making a difference in people’s lives. Today, this entrepreneur has a successful practice at MassMutual South Florida, which has provided him the flexibility and independence to do what he feels is important: spending time with family, personal time and community involvement (he is on the board of the Florida Initiative for Suicide Prevention; his best friend committed suicide).

 “I wasn’t dealing well with stress or valuing myself, and I wanted to better manage the volatility of our business,” Barredo says. “I knew how dangerous not dealing with stress can be, and I knew I would be happier and more successful with stable mindset. The MMM Workshop (Mindfulness, Meditation and Movement Training) helped me create a better relationship with my thoughts. Now, I meditate daily, taking a moment every morning to be quiet and grateful. Mindfulness has allowed me to notice this amazing world and to take less for granted.”

Like many other millennials that I counsel, Barredo says that the practice of meditation has also has helped him put things into perspective. “I am more peaceful and positive and deal with stress better. Present awareness has also allowed me to improve my business and drastically improve my focus and motivation. I think mindfulness is essential for everyone, especially young professionals who have so much pressure to be successful,” he says, pausing to add, “I was once in a catastrophe mode. Now, I’m much calmer and more positive. This also keeps me optimistic. People notice a difference in me.”

As the practice of present awareness and mindfulness meditation becomes mainstream, millennials understand that happiness and success also include well-being. Regardless of one’s age, these timeless practices can improve our lives both professionally and personally. 

To find out if you living the millennial mindset, take the Pew Research Center questionnaire at pewresearch.org/quiz/how-millennial-are-you. ?

Millennial Tolerance

The Pew Research Center profiled roughly 50 million millennials and discovered that this generation is more tolerant of a wide range of nontraditional behaviors than adults in other generations. The report stated that 95 percent of millennials believed that stress was an important issue. One-quarter of adults under 30 say they meditate on a weekly basis.

Linda Janasz is a transformational coach, trainer, researcher and Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT 200) and holds a Ph.D. She developed and teaches a program called Mindfulness, Meditation and Movement (MMM) Training that has helped hundreds reduce stress, increase productivity and discover meaning in an unbalanced world. For more information, visit mindmedmove.com.

You May Also Like

LEGACY Unveils Game-Changing Fort Lauderdale Renovation

LEGACY, the renowned fitness brand by visionary entrepreneur Manning Sumner, has unveiled a major expansion of the brand’s Fort Lauderdale facility. Redefining the fitness landscape in the area, the location’s

Uni K Wax Launches New Membership Program 

The franchise has numerous locations throughout South Florida.

Longevity Science Foundation President Delivers Keynote Address at Library of Congress Event

The speech centered around how cognitive wellness interacts with quality of life.  

Legacy Fit Unveil State-Of-The-Art Training Facility in Little River

The location will feature premium gym offerings, co-working spaces and recovery amenities.

Other Posts

Toni’s Sushi Bar in Miami Beach Undergoes Redesign

To prepare for Toni’s Sushi Bar’s highly anticipated 40th anniversary as Miami Beach’s longest-running sushi bar, the iconic eatery is thrilled to announce the unveiling of its extraordinary redesign. The

Discover the Top Easter Brunch Spots in South Florida

The region offers an eclectic mix of dining destinations, each offering its unique spin on the beloved tradition.

Miller Construction Finishes Building BMW Dealership in Pembroke Pines

The state-of-the-art showroom aims to enhance the customer’s experience.

Newgard Development Group Unveils Plans for Newest Lifestyle Project: Natiivo Fort Lauderdale

The 40-story, 384-unit high-rise in downtown is designed for short-term rentals.

Drew Limsky

Drew Limsky

Editor-in-Chief

BIOGRAPHY

Drew Limsky joined Lifestyle Media Group in August 2020 as Editor-in-Chief of South Florida Business & Wealth. His first issue of SFBW, October 2020, heralded a reimagined structure, with new content categories and a slew of fresh visual themes. “As sort of a cross between Forbes and Robb Report, with a dash of GQ and Vogue,” Limsky says, “SFBW reflects South Florida’s increasingly sophisticated and dynamic business and cultural landscape.”

Limsky, an avid traveler, swimmer and film buff who holds a law degree and Ph.D. from New York University, likes to say, “I’m a doctor, but I can’t operate—except on your brand.” He wrote his dissertation on the nonfiction work of Joan Didion. Prior to that, Limsky received his B.A. in English, summa cum laude, from Emory University and earned his M.A. in literature at American University in connection with a Masters Scholar Award fellowship.

Limsky came to SFBW at the apex of a storied career in journalism and publishing that includes six previous lead editorial roles, including for some of the world’s best-known brands. He served as global editor-in-chief of Lexus magazine, founding editor-in-chief of custom lifestyle magazines for Cadillac and Holland America Line, and was the founding editor-in-chief of Modern Luxury Interiors South Florida. He also was the executive editor for B2B magazines for Acura and Honda Financial Services, and he served as travel editor for Conde Nast. Magazines under Limsky’s editorship have garnered more than 75 industry awards.

He has also written for many of the country’s top newspapers and magazines, including The New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Miami Herald, Boston Globe, USA Today, Worth, Robb Report, Afar, Time Out New York, National Geographic Traveler, Men’s Journal, Ritz-Carlton, Elite Traveler, Florida Design, Metropolis and Architectural Digest Mexico. His other clients have included Four Seasons, Acqualina Resort & Residences, Yahoo!, American Airlines, Wynn, Douglas Elliman and Corcoran. As an adjunct assistant professor, Limsky has taught journalism, film and creative writing at the City University of New York, Pace University, American University and other colleges.