Seven Ways To Be More Mindful
You have probably heard about mindfulness as it has gained popularity in recent years. Being mindful isn’t something we just do when we are meditating or doing yoga, we can practice mindfulness at any moment and that is why it is such a powerful coping skill. Let’s dive deeper into mindfulness, what it is, and how it can become a part of your life.
What is mindfulness?
Simply put, mindfulness is when you use your five senses and connect with your present moment. Mindfulness is powerful because it redirects our thoughts to the present and away from the past or the future. Oftentimes our anxiety or depression can make us hyperfocus on the past or the future so giving our brain a break and focusing on the present moment is amazing for our brains and thus our mental health.
Why is it important?
Many would argue that mindfulness has gained its popularity due to the fast-paced society we live in where chronic stress and busy-ness are the norms. We do often live up in our heads instead of in our body. This can create a big disconnection for us and lead to mental health problems. Mindfulness feels like a respite for many who feel the pressure to perform all the time. It has gained popularity within psychology due to the research evidence backing its ability to treat anxiety and depression.
Below are 7 to introduce mindfulness into your routine:
- Mindful Waking
Setting an intention to bring mindfulness into the very first moments of your day is a great way, gentle way to set the tone for the hours to come—rather than slamming your hand on the alarm clock and bolting out of bed in the morning.
Pay attention to: Your mind and your body. Do you feel alert or tired? Are your muscles tight? Slowly stretch your limbs and your back, noticing the sensation of each movement. Try to notice what thought crosses your mind the second you open your eyes – or even just before.
- Mindful Eating
No matter what your day brings, there are going to be meals—or at least snacks! Reminding yourself to come back into the moment each time you eat is a great way to insert mindfulness into your day—and it will help you to be more conscious what food you’re putting in your body too.
Pay attention to: Taste, texture, smell—there’s so much to notice in every mouthful of food. If you’re really concentrating, even a tiny raisin can make you happy! Take small bites and chew slowly, savoring as you go—and wait until you’ve swallowed to pick up your fork for the next bite. Even if you are hitting up your favorite Akron restaurant you can be mindful as you dig in in any context.
- Mindful Cleaning
Whether it’s doing the dishes, sweeping the floor or folding the laundry, chores present an ideal opportunity to bring mindfulness into day-to-day life. In fact, most meditation retreats encourage students to continue their practice through such tasks, outside of formal sitting hours. This is my personal favorite way to incorporate mindfulness into my routine.
Pay attention to: Whatever your hands are doing. If you’re washing dishes, notice the temperature of the water, the texture of the plates, the motion of scrubbing. If you’re folding laundry, feel the different fabrics. While sweeping, notice the movement of your arms, the stretch and extension, and perhaps even an aching as time goes by.
- Mindful Walking
Just like eating, every day consists of some walking—whether it’s a long walk at your favorite Akron hiking trail or school, or a short one to the kitchen. Every step brings with it a chance to be mindful.
Pay attention to: Your feet and legs. Notice how each foot feels as it touches the ground, rolls, and then pushes off again. Feel the bend of each leg as it moves forward, the stretch of the calf and thigh muscles. As your attention gets sharper, you can also notice the rotation of your hip joints, the swing of your arms, the straightness of your spine and the wind on your face.
- Mindful Showering
While it is said that our best ideas come to us in the shower, washing can also be a time to step away from the non-stop flow of thoughts that fills most of the day – and really be aware.
Pay attention to: The feel of the water. Notice the temperature before you adjust and after, how each drop feels as it makes contact with your skin, the sound it makes as it hits the shower curtain, screen or tiles.
- Mindful Waiting
Bringing mindfulness into your waiting time can turn that sigh when you first spot the long line at the bank into a genuine smile. It’s also an opportunity to notice your mind as well as your body, as emotional reactions tend to arise fast and strong when we’re forced to wait.
Pay attention to: The whole experience. Notice how you feel when you realize you’ll have to wait – does your heart beat faster? Do you feel annoyed? Angry? Perhaps your fists even clench instinctively. Does your breathing change? Once you’re sitting or standing in the line or at the bus stop, pull your attention away from the mental and emotional part of your experience, and be mindful of your body. Feel your feet on the ground, your inhalations and exhalations. Notice each and every tiny movement.
- Mindful Listening
You know that cathartic feeling of a deep, personal conversation with a friend—when you really felt like you got something off your chest? Chances are, your friend was practicing mindful listening—whether they knew it or not. Truly being with the people around us is one of the best ways to connect and deepen our relationships – both at home and at work.
Pay attention to: Everything about the person who’s speaking to you—not just their words. Listen, of course, but also take stock of their body language, giving them your full attention. Resist the urge to start thinking about what to say next before the other person has finished their sentence—just listen.
(Source: Goodnet)
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