Many of us are aiming to achieve a variety of goals, including wanting "more" and "better" in the areas of work, health, money, and/or relationships. While there's nothing wrong with desiring "better" and "more" in these areas, the pursuit may leave us drained or exhausted. It’s essential that we take the time out of our days to practice mindfulness. Keep on reading to discover 6 simple tips to help you be more aware and practice your mindfulness!
What is Mindfulness?
The ability to stay in the present moment and focus your thoughts on what is happening right now is known as mindfulness. It's our ability to stop thinking about the past or the future and instead focus on what's going on at the moment.
Why Should We Practice Mindfulness?
Many well-known instructors, such as Chopra and Tolle, have taught us about the power of mindfulness and why it's so vital to incorporate it into our daily lives. It has a long list of proven advantages, including lowering anxiety, depression, and chronic pain, as well as increasing sleep and lowering stress. Mindfulness can also help us achieve our objectives. Mindfulness can also help us stay centered as leaders, allowing us to manage people and deal with external obstacles more successfully. Overall, mindfulness is a valuable skill to learn if we want to lead happy and meaningful lives.
1. Practice gratitude
When we practice gratitude, we must focus our attention on what is positive in our life right now. It gradually brings the positive aspects of our lives to the forefront of our minds, allowing us to more readily return to the present moment rather than worrying about the future or recounting the past. We become more open to creating a more pleasant future when we focus on the positives.
2. Wellness check on your body
The human body runs on its own — you breathe naturally, your heart beats continually, and your physical functions continue to run independently of what you do. However, our bodies are continually sending us messages through sensations.
What areas of your body are tense? Do you suffer from aches and pains? Do you get a heavy or light feeling? Bringing your attention to your body not only helps you refocus on the present, but it also provides you with the information you need to effectively care for your body.
3. Pay attention to your feelings
At any given time, the body communicates with us through our emotions. You may feel a variety of emotions during the day, ranging from despair to delight. You get more coherence with yourself by checking in with your heart, which is where your emotions start.
4. Keep screen time to a limit if possible!
Limit the amount of time you spend on your phone, computer and other electronics. We can easily become information overload with all of the media at our fingers. Set screen time limits, including defined hours for social networking (even set an alarm if needed), and try to keep mobile devices out of reach before bedtime.
5. Take small breaks throughout the day
It's important to schedule time out of your day if you're having trouble remaining still. You can refocus your energy by practicing mindfulness. You can keep your thoughts from wandering to other things by thinking about how you're feeling right now.
Sit comfortably and focus your attention entirely on the sensation of your feet touching the floor or your bottom on the chair to make the most of your brief break. You can also engage your senses by concentrating on what you can smell, see, hear, feel, or taste right now. Spend at least a few minutes focusing on your body rather than what you've been doing.
6. Practicing mindfulness while you're waiting
Are you stuck in a supermarket queue, a doctor's office line, or a traffic signal line? This could be another chance to practice mindfulness.
Instead of staring at your phone as you wait, take a few deep breaths and concentrate on what's going on around you. What unique things do you notice in your immediate surroundings? What are the scents in the air? What are you able to hear?