5 Ways To Incorporate Mindfulness
Mindfulness is something that we are hearing about more and more every day, and for good reason. The research behind mindfulness shows that it can be an incredibly effective way to beat things like anxiety, depression, stress, and a wide variety of other issues. Meditation is what we often think of when hearing the word “mindfulness.” However, traditional meditation is not the only way to incorporate mindfulness into your life. Here are 5 other ways we can practice being mindful throughout our day:
Focus on your breathing - something more structured like a breathing exercise, or something as simple as just noticing your breath
The Body Scan - this is a great practice that helps you to be more aware of your body and how it feels. The body holds onto stress and tension in ways that we often do not notice!
Using your senses - take a moment in your day to simply pause and notice what your sense are picking up and your brain is filtering out. What are some things you can see, hear, smell, taste, and touch?
Observe your thoughts - What are your thoughts like right now? Observe them carefully without judging them or labeling them as “good” or “bad.” Simply notice what is there and take interest as if you were an observer.
Put away your smart phone - For most of us, our phones are like an extension of ourselves. We’re hardly ever without them and have a habit of constantly checking for anything new. Try putting your phone away the next time you are having a meal, a conversation, or simply want to try going an hour without checking your phone. Be present in the life around you!