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"Mindfulness" is a buzzword we're hearing a lot about these days. But what is mindfulness, and how can it help your body, your energy level, your productivity and your overall health and happiness? And is mindfulness the same thing as meditation? I train a lot of successful, stressed out, busy lawyers. And when I first bring up the idea of a "mindfulness practice" most of them scoff. "I'm too busy to think about that." I'll tell you what I tell them: "Frankly, you're too busy NOT to."

Thanks to today's fast-paced, technology-centric world coupled with sedentary lifestyles, we are bombarded constantly with mental, physical, emotional and physiological stress. These chronic stresses are inhibiting our bodies' natural self-repair mechanisms that fix broken proteins, kill cancer cells, retard aging and fight infections. We are the most overweight, underactive generation in history, existing on diets of processed foods and suffering from drill sergeant mindsets. We're walking around underslept and beating up on our adrenal glands.

Beyond making us miserable, what is all this dysfunction doing to our bodies and brains? Here are a few common symptoms of chronic stress. Scary stuff.

• Fatigue
• Loss of lean muscle and strength
• Accumulation of fat, especially around the abdomen
• Depression
• Increased risk of osteoporosis and bone deterioration
• Increased risk of cardiovascular disease
• Reduced libido and sexual side effects
• Sudden absence of menstruation
• Hot flashes
• Anxiety

Sufficiently scared? Good. Because the solution can be pretty simple. All this stress and distraction are cluttering our brains, making us adrenaline-addicted, multitasking robots. The result is that we're miserable, sick and actually less productive. That's where mindfulness can help.

Mindfulness is about going off autopilot and reaction mode and being aware and tuned in to your body, your environment or your task. It's noticing and paying attention to thoughts, feelings, behaviors, physical stimulus and what's around you. Mindfulness is so important because we're in a world where we are so distracted by emails, texts, 18 different tabs open on our internet browser, plus interruptions from colleagues, client calls, thoughts about what you're doing later that night, flashbacks to the fight you had with your significant other that morning, fears about whether you're going to make partner this year and so on and so on.

In addition to helping you get tasks done more efficiently and keeping you from ripping your hair out, mindfulness can help release "happy" chemicals like dopamine in the brain, lower blood pressure, improve digestion and reduce physical pain.

Mindfulness is related to, but different from, meditation. Mindfulness is the awareness of "some-thing," while meditation is the awareness of "no-thing." Mindfulness is the art of bringing your awareness to the present moment. Meditation is about focusing inward and achieving a different state of consciousness. Mindfulness is like superfood for the brain and meditation is like a supercharged power nap. Both are great.

OK, I'm In. But How Do I Do It?

Mindfulness can seem like a big, insurmountable Zen-like achievement that only Buddah himself can tackle. Not so. Here are three simple ways you can start a mindfulness practice in as little as one minute per day.

Do just one thing at work. Blasphemy, I know. I'm practical. I know you have partners clamoring for you, clients calling, emails coming in. But try. Just TRY once a day to give yourself permission to focus on just one thing—like writing an important email or brief—and shut out all other distractions. Turn off your email and cellphone, go somewhere you won't be interrupted and for a period of time (maybe just 30 minutes) allow yourself to only focus on that one deliverable.

Put your phone down at social situations. Ever notice when you're at dinner with friends or at home with your family, everyone's phone is within reach and every few minutes folks keep glancing down? It's a compulsion. We all do it. At your next social gathering with friends or maybe just one night a week at home, try putting your phone outside of hand's reach and see how it changes your mood, your interactions and your physical sensations.

Try a one minute mindfulness awareness anytime, anywhere. The next time you are overwhelmed or notice you are drowning on autopilot, try a quick and simple exercise. For one minute simply shut your eyes and practice noticing what's around you. Notice and experience sounds (typing, sirens, wind blowing, whatever), physical sensations (Are you cold? Is the sun hot on your skin?), smells (good and bad). Don't overthink it. Just check in with the world around you and your own physical sensations.

Mindfulness can be practiced at any time, no matter where we are or who we are with by simply trying to be fully engaged in the here and now. Easier said than done. Learning to be mindful is like learning any other skill. Think of it like exercising a muscle that you've never really worked out before. It takes consistency. It's mindfulness practice, not a mindfulness perfect. There's no such thing as perfect. Sometimes your focus will wander or you'll "relapse" and check an email when you meant to focus on writing your brief. That's OK. Keep practicing.

Read more – Minds Over Matters: An Examination of Mental Health in the Legal Profession

Jonathan Jordan, Law.com's Fit Counselor columnist, is a personal trainer, nutrition coach and corporate wellness consultant in San Francisco. Check out his blog JJ Fit 24/7.