Through our everyday hustle and bustle, it is easy to give into stress, move fast, and overwhelm ourselves with endless checklists.
But wait... can it be just as easy to remain mindful and awake throughout our busy schedules? Yes! Can mindfulness really be incorporated into everyday life while your in the office, out to dinner, in a shopping line, and in the midst of a challenging experience? Absolutely!
We can think of mindfulness as being aware to what is currently happening. Think of mindfulness as taking the time to pause.
Now your next question may be, "How can I bring mindfulness into my life"? See below for some of my favorite tips and tricks to become a more present participant in your own life.
mind·ful·ness
Noun: mindfulness
"a mental state achieved by focusing one's awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting ones feelings, thoughts and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique."
The good news: Practicing mindfulness is all about taking a purposeful and intentional pause throughout your day. It's that easy.
5 Tips for Integrating Mindfulness into Your Everyday Life:
Wake up 30 minutes earlier: this one practice changes my whole day. What to do with those 30 minutes? Up to you! Read, write, listen to a talk, exercise, stretch... there are endless opportunities. Choose something that connects you to yourself. After those 30 minutes, you will begin your day from a centered state of mind.
Practice mindfulness while brushing your teeth: notice your feet on the floor; the smell, flavor and texture of your toothpaste; feel your arm moving from side to side; listen to the sound of the brush against your teeth; feel each and every tooth while they are getting cleaned.
Take multiple times out of your day to stop and breathe: When you feel yourself getting anxious, stressed or overwhelmed; stop what you're doing and take 5 deep breaths. Your breath can be your anchor to the present moment; where those worries that were just swirling through your head has not even occurred yet.
"Monotask" when you commute: Rather than multitasking, practice doing one thing at a time. For example, drive with your radio off and with your cell phone put down. Focus on the drive. Notice how calm, quiet and grounded you feel once arriving to your destination.
Put your phone away for 60 minutes a day: Take a yoga class, go for a walk, talk to a friend, l i s t e n to your partner, meditate, daydream, create, take a relaxing bath. Oh what you could do without sacrificing your time, physical posture and mental presence by constantly looking at your smartphone. Take these 60 minutes to give your presence to who and what is around you.