How to become more mindful
Mindfulness is quite the buzzword these days and you may be confused as to what it actually is and how you can start implementing it into your life.
The first thing to know is the difference between mindfulness and meditation. Although they are similar concepts, there is a distinction. Meditation is a deliberate, intentional practice that includes being mindful and that can increase calmness, focus, and awareness. Mindfulness can be practiced anywhere at any time and is simply the act of being present to the moment. When you are being mindful, you are paying attention to the world around you and staying present to whatever is happening in that moment.
Studies have estimated that people spend nearly 50 percent of their waking hours thinking about something other than what they are currently doing. And those thoughts are usually about something that happened in the past or worrying about something in the future. All of which can lead to people feeling less happy and more anxious.
Since mindfulness is all about staying in the present moment, it can help to reduce worrying thoughts and anxiety. It can also help to reduce stress, increase focus, boost mental clarity, and increase joy.
How can you start becoming more mindful?
Meditation. Are you surprised? Meditation is the intentional practice of being mindful and will have benefits that far extend the time you are actively meditating. If you are unsure how to get started, you can check out this previous blog I wrote about meditation and the common hurdles people have to getting started.
Pay attention to your five senses. This is a great mindfulness technique. At least once a day, focus on your five senses as you go about a task. Become aware of what you see, hear, taste, touch, and physically feel.
Put the screens down. Our phones are what we often turn to when we are bored and can take us out of the present moment and down a rabbit hole of different thoughts. Become aware of your screen time and don’t be afraid to go screen free for periods of time.
Take mindfulness walks. A couple times a week, take a walk and just observe. Notice your surroundings, the people you pass, even your own thoughts and emotions.
Start a gratitude practice. Look for one thing a day that you are grateful for. This will force you to become more mindful and aware of the world around you. Whether it is a beautiful sunset, a cute dog you walk by, or the quick conversation you have with a pleasant stranger. Mindfulness helps you appreciate the world around you.
Slow down. We are often in such a hurry and juggling multiple tasks at a time, which makes being mindful just about impossible. Try slowing down and becoming aware of what you are actually doing at that moment.
Don’t try so hard. Becoming more mindful isn’t supposed to make you more stressed or anxious. Just try to slowly incorporate more mindfulness into your everyday routine and start to become more present.
“Your entire life only happens in this moment. The present moment is life itself.”
- Eckhart Tolle
