Mindfulness is not a foreign religion or threat to anyone’s religion, despite what some people may assume. We should remember that Walking the Labyrinth is a traditional process by which believers in Christianity can meditate.

All religions have recognized the healing properties of meditation or mindfulness.

Each religion may use its own symbols or mannerisms to practice its style of meditation, but they all come from the same place and serve the same purpose. It is to merge the mind with the body and to provide insight and peace for the purpose of becoming centered.

I suggest the critics of mindfulness at this school find a quiet time-out place to find their Qabalah.

In fact, I advocate mindfulness activities such as these for everyone of all faiths:

Let the show go on.

I’m a fan of film myself, and I find a great film to be one of the most pleasant distractions there can be. So I recommend that you see a blockbuster movie. With prehistoric dinosaurs coming to life in an amusement park, yellow bespectacled plush creatures who speak a language of their own, a cartoon girl who lets her emotions rule her life, and a reboot of just about every movie from the past three decades hitting the big screen, what’s not to appreciate about a couple of hours focusing on the magic of Hollywood and forgetting about the reality of everyday life?

It’s the real thing.

In the frosty weather, we dream about the sounds of waves lapping the shore, the tang of salty air, and the feel of the sand on our bare feet. Now that spring weather is here, and the weather is beginning to warm up, why not visit the ocean (or a lake, river, pond — or even a pool!)? You’ll hear, smell, and feel the bliss of springtime — and you might just promote healing and health.

Treat yourself.

Let’s face it. One of the best things about springtime, regardless of your age or state of health is indulging in the luscious, succulent foods of the season. Within your caloric and dietary requirements, give yourself the gift of indulging in a dessert that will taste good in the here and now. With each lick of the frozen yogurt, sorbet, sherbet, or ice cream, you can focus on the pleasure of the moment and lose yourself in the joy of the present. Can a pill do that? No!

Giving time.

Although the warmer weather offers so many seasonal treats, the best part of living is when you can give something back. Volunteer to read to children, pet sit (or walk a dog), or deliver meals or pay visits to those who can’t get outside. And, if that isn’t possible, due to health or pain issues, then give thanks for what you do have and what you can do. It’s so much easier to feel gratitude when the weather is perfect, and the days are lighter, longer, and lazier. And focusing on the positive is always a wonderful change from the alternative.

As the mercury rises, and vacations loom, you can be a full participant in so many of the wonderful and memorable opportunities springtime offers — regardless of your religion, and no matter what your pain level, health status, and even your budget. Springtime can be a healing time for all of us, and it comes without any warnings on the bottle. So let mindfulness be the best medicine in your supply closet this springtime.

Try these mindfulness activities for worry-free, side effect-free healing that everyone can enjoy — and that doesn’t depend on your religion! And the FDA isn’t worrying about the side effects, either.

Purchase my book The Painful Truth: What Chronic Pain Is Really Like and Why It Matters to Each of Us (available on Amazon) or read a free excerpt here.

Copyright 2016, Lynn Webster, MD