Mindfulness can be as simple as leaving everything for a moment and being aware of your breath.
Mindfulness is the practice of living and feeling the present moment purposely. Many ways are being used to practice mindfulness e.g. breathing exercises, yoga, meditation etc.
But to spare some time from a busy schedule to learn a new technique sounds overwhelming. Slowing down is easier said than done. When everything around you is moving at such a rapid pace. Finding an extra hour could be intimidating.
We live in a time where everyone is working simultaneously on a variety of projects. Whether it is to complete an errand, picking up and feeding kids, preparing a presentation, meeting deadlines. We always have somewhere to go and something to do.
We have examples from our daily life. When we are stressed or overwhelmed, we are disconnected from our surroundings. Even the most meaningful things don't seem interesting anymore. This not only takes a toll on our body but on our mind and life energy as well. If we can get mindful moments of living in the present, we feel more grounded and fulfilled.
Mindfulness can be as simple and easy as just leaving everything for a moment and being aware of your breath. Consciously inhaling and exhaling.
Let's try this:
Stop and pause for a moment, take a deep breath and concentrate on the present moment. Consider how you are sitting. Take a look around you at the space you are in. Who are you around? What sounds are you hearing? Give yourself permission to just be.
There are some simple shifts that we can incorporate into our daily life to cultivate mindfulness on the go.
Breathe Consciously:
Be more active:
Go outdoors more. Be more regular about morning walks. Instead of hitting a gym try a sport outside, be in the sun, be in the water, be in the soil. It will give you a more relaxing platform to be with yourself and to connect with mother nature too.
Be more aware:
Slow down and really take in everything around you as you go about your daily routine. Pay attention to the sounds, smells, textures, and movements. Allow yourself to see it, embrace it, and observe it as it is. Just allow yourself to be present truly in the moment.
Eat consciously:
Give your mind and body the right fuel that benefits. Your emotions, as well as your actions (or reactions) to various events that occur throughout the day, can be centered on what you eat. Eat for hunger not for impulses. Eat slowly and keep yourself away from distractions during eating. Notice the color, aroma and flavor of the food that you are eating. Appreciate this moment and feel grateful to nature. Fueling your body right, will contribute to replacing automatic thoughts and reactions with more conscious and healthier responses.
Limit your screen time:
Although this may appear to be obvious, we often struggle with it more than we would like to admit. Technology persists in our homes, offices, coffee shops, and supermarkets. There is technology everywhere. As a result, we unknowingly allow it to distract us from the present moment. Take a break from technology and shift to real-time options instead. Try to socialize and be around friends and colleagues instead of spending time on social media. Share real-time and real stories. Choose more living life than spending life.
You can really slow down and start to appreciate life as it is. Being mindful of your existence and your surroundings, being mindful of what and how you eat, being mindful of what you are doing at the very moment, that is all it takes to practice mindfulness. With each day that you adopt these practices, you will begin to notice a shift in your life. A life that is more fulfilled, more healthy and more joyful.