Mindfulness is a major buzzword these days, but the concept has been around for millennia. Everyone from the Buddha to John the Baptist to Gandhi has embraced its life-changing principles. However, they didn't face the challenges we do, namely 40-plus hour a week jobs (plus the commute), the responsibilities of relationships and parenthood, not to mention the distractions of TV, social media and a nonstop news cycle.

This book helps the reader take a step back and look at the many reasons a more mindful life is worth the effort, including physical and mental benefits, greater focus, tolerance, self-control, emotional intelligence and a boost to the immune system. The book helps getting started on the path to being more mindful, starting with things that are derailing someone's best intentions from a cluttered house to being overwhelmed with negative emotions.

While mediation can be a key component of mindfulness, don't think that means you'll be stuck sitting cross-legged for hours on end: This guide offers lots of tips for easing into it. And there are many other forms of mindfulness to explore, from the way we eat and exercise, to establishing a gratitude practice and daily journaling.

This book also provides journaling prompts that assist in the journey to self-discovery and mindfulness. Finally, hand's on craft, activity and drawing exercises will help keep the reader zen by bringing his or her best self to the surface.