Mindfulness is a movement. Though its popularity in the Western has surged lately, it has been around for thousands of years. The more stressful and busier our lives get, people are drifting away from the 24/7 lifestyle towards a more focused and self aware one that is in the present. According to experts, the benefits of mindfulness include; increased productivity, the ability to switch off the undermining autopilot of daily grind and a soothing rest for the brain.
The practice of mindfulness has created a boatload of following ranging from university students to business executives. Indeed it is a way of seeing the world that, with time and patience, can add vitality and productivity to your life. So let’s get started with it already.
Mindfulness
It is the awareness arising from paying purposeful attention in the present moment without judgment or bias. If you are new to this practice, it is important for you to understand what it’s not.
Mindfulness is a way of life. It is not limited to the practice of mindfulness meditation of sitting in silence without any thoughts; rather it best works when shared with others. Researches have linked mindful leaders to happier employees. One reason is that a leader’s mindful trait will positively influence his/her employees and produce astounding results in the overall work culture.
Mindfulness for me began as a meditation process. But with more research I got better understanding and application of meditation.
Both mindfulness and meditation are used interchangeably but they are different practices with the aim of accessing the inner peace that resides within. While mindfulness deals with accessing your outer world, meditation focuses on the inner world.
In a world obsessed with multitasking, we pay diverging attention without being fully focused. It is important to being aware of what you are doing when you are doing it; this can set your life on a different pedestal than being on autopilot.
Here are the 5 amazing tips you should take action on in your daily life.
1 BE GRATEFUL
The practice of gratitude each morning as against being obsessed with your to-do list propels you from a reactive state of being anxious and worried to being aware of the present blessing of our lives and the people in it. Mindfulness is a way to do this.
Usually it is easy to take life for granted until we are confronted with a challenge that reminds us of the importance of being alive. People with near death experiences understand this and its why they live each day like it’s their last.
Gratitude has helped me in very difficult situations in my life. Since I learnt this practice from my father, I have realized that there is always something to be grateful for. Give thanks everyday and you’ll be surprised at how transforming it can be.
2 ACCESS YOUR SENSES
Do you notice how much time we spend living in our heads. We are either analyzing past or future events that we have no control over. This inner critic in our heads drains energy and bar us from being alive in the present moment.
Being in the present is setting yourself lose and dropping into your heart. How? Simply connect with your body. When you access all of your senses, you are in tune with pure intelligence. We slowly drift away from our worries into being alive in our bodies.
The beat of your heart, the sound of your breath and the feel of your flesh helps you connect with your mind thereby experiencing the true feeling of living in the moment. You really need to access this part of your bodies to fully grasp the importance.
3 NOTICE YOUR THOUGHTS
People think of mindfulness as control or obliteration of thoughts. This is far from true. This can also drive to frustration and giving up on mindfulness. Practically, it is easier for thoughts to slip in by trying to not allow them.
Your job is to notice and observe them(thoughts) as they come and go without being attached to them. What matters is your response to the world around you. The only control we have is over our inner world not the external world. Thus living mindfully means we let life move while we control our inner world by responding to life challenges.
4 BREATHE DEEPLY
Many people breathe shallowly because they are always in a constant state of stress and anxiety. How can you live life fully when you don’t even know how to breathe properly?
Since deep breathing requires focusing on the moment, it inadvertently helps to quiet your thoughts. Inhalation kicks of the awareness process in your body. When you exhale, consciously forfeit all thoughts that are not beneficial to you. Breathe is the sign of live. When you breathe well, you relieve stress and approach life from a practical and strong point.
5 Adopt Simplicity
When we adopt a minimalist approach to life, we focus on the most important things thus channeling our attention to the present moment. By being simple, we free our inner and outer world to encourage us to be mindful.
You focus should be on the journey of living rather than obsessing yourself with the overall outcome. When you embrace this mindset, you will get the best result with mindfulness.
Work on it daily and improve your life
The external world is in constant motion. Mindfulness affords us the chance to access inner peace amidst the world’s chaos. When we are in the present moment, our minds can access true intelligence to solve our problems.
You can start living a mindful life today. Don’t bloat what it looks like. Just pay attention right here and now.
Remember to practice this and watch your life skyrocket.