Mindfulness focuses on the present. It’s what you are experiencing now. This could be a smell, taste, feeling, emotion, physical sensation or sight. A good affirmation to keep is that you will not experience this moment again, so try to enjoy it to the fullest.
“Do every act of your life as though it were the very last act of your life.” – Marcus Aurelius
Here are a number of habits that will help you experience mindfulness:
I. Start in the morning
Yes, this means as soon as you wake up. You can start to reflect on the pleasure of stretching your limbs, walking around and thinking about what you will achieve today. Leave the TV and computer off until later in the day – this way you won’t ruin the great start that you’ve made.
II. Go for a walk
Once you go outside for a walk, you will make contact with nature. This will enable you to better experience the real wonders of nature and you’ll be able to reflect on the beauty of it – this will help calm your mind. Even just a five minute walk in the park can work.
III. Get in the zone
It can be extremely difficult to release your mind of distracting thoughts, regrets and worries. So try to do something creative that you like, such as drawing, playing an instrument or cooking. Once you get in the zone you will become relaxed and experience a sense of calm.
IV. Deep breaths
Concentrating on your breathing is a great habit to get into. Focus on your deep breaths, as you fill your lungs and exhale, you will remove the mental chatter from your mind. It’s a great mindfulness technique that can be practised nearly anywhere.
V. Avoid multitasking
Try to focus on one thing at a time as multitasking can take up to 50% more of your time. Switching between jobs can interrupt your flow, which may result in failing to finish them. Another drawback is that you are more likely to get distracted. It’s far better to focus on one task and get it done right. To do this, switch off your phone and refrain from checking emails – these are the usual suspects of distraction.
VI. Switch off to connect
This may seem counterintuitive – but we mean connect with people and the world around you, not to the WiFi. Have you noticed that it’s rare to find people that actually look you in the eye when talking? It’s because they’ve typically got one eye on what’s happening on their phone or tablet, not fully focusing on the person they are talking to. Once you switch off, your family, friends and colleague will feel more connected with you.
Please share your experience on how you make mindfulness a part of your daily life in the comments below.
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