You keep hearing that you need to be more mindful, and to be more mindful, you need to practice mindfulness. When hearing this, your first thought may be “I don’t have time for that.” However, it’s not hard to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine. You can always find ways to be more mindful without getting too into your own head. Read on to learn about ways to practice mindfulness throughout the day.
How you start the day sets the stage for how your day will go. Begin every morning with a few minutes of meditation or deep breathing, and set a positive intention for today. What is the overall theme of how you want your day to go? Do you want to be focused, energized, victorious? Start your day with an intention, and keep it with you throughout the day.
Everyone could be more mindful about what and how they eat. Rather than considering eating to be a utilitarian act, pause and pay attention to elements like the taste, texture, and smell of your food. Eat slowly, and savor each bite without distractions
When you’re feeling overwhelmed, a one-minute breathing break can do wonders. Consider using a mindfulness app or phone reminders to remind you to take breaks throughout the day. By taking breaks when you need them, you’ll be more focused, energized and prepared to tackle what lies ahead.
Daily tasks like walking dishes or taking a walk can benefit from a mindfulness practice. Listen to calming music or a walking meditation on your morning walk. Take the time you use to wash dishes to consider the benefits of what you’re doing. You can also benefit from being more intentional while doing activities you enjoy, like gardening or painting.
Writing in a journal allows you to reflect on your experiences and feelings each day. Use the time you spend journaling to express gratitude for the people and things in your life. Then, once you’re used to journaling about gratitude, see if you can express it out loud in daily life. Everyone loves to feel appreciated, so consider reaching out to friends and family to let them know you’re grateful for them.
There’s nothing like a solid bedtime routine to help you rest after a long day. Consider all the things you want to do and need to do before bed, and think about how you can create a flow. Set screen free hours after a certain time or within an hour of when you want to go to sleep. Start setting intentions for the next day.
By practicing mindfulness throughout your life, you allow yourself to live in the present moment. This can help ease common mental health concerns like depression and anxiety. As you live with more intention, you’ll also notice that you have a more positive impact on those around you. So, go forth, and live mindfully! You’ll be glad you did.
