Being mindful helps our brains calm and settle down.
Here are 10 ways to feel more mindful.
1) When you’re feeling rushed, just stop for a few minutes, sit, focus on your breathing – breathing deep from the belly and just pay attention to what’s going on around you. Birds singing in the trees, the rhythm of the sound of cars driving along a road. Don’t judge what you hear just note it. Look at the leaves on the tree, the colour, the shape, the size. Scan down your body and note any tension and let that tension go.
2) When washing up not the temperature of the water, how the different implements you are washing feel, the sound of the water splashing and the smell of the washing up liquid.
3) When eating a meal, notice the smell as you bring the food to your mouth, notice the texture, the flavour, slowly chew it and appreciate every mouthful. Only do this, do not distract yourself by watching TV, looking at your phone, tablet or PC. Eating mindfully can help people lose weight too.
4) Take time to walk from place to place at work, don’t use email or phone. Be aware of the sounds and light of the building.
5) Take the time to talk to people. Say thank you and greet people you see.
Mindful Photos
6) Start a photo diary of your favourite place, take photos every day in different light conditions, different weathers and times of the day. Build up a picture of your environment.
7) Smile more – when you greet someone in a shop, or at any time you’re out and about smiling helps you connect better and makes you feel good.
8) Keep a jar of joy – write on small pieces of paper and post into a jar every day 3 things that have been good. After a month shake it out and appreciate what joys have been in your life.
Mindfulness and positive thoughts
9) Spend 5 minutes every day sending out positive thoughts to those you know and love. By doing this you help reconnect the part of your brain which deals with control. This helps lower anxiety and makes you feel happier.
10) When you find negative thoughts cross your mind, just acknowledge it as a thought and nothing more. Take some deep breathes and focus on what’s around you.
Also see: Mindfulness
Also see Jon Kabat Zinn