Mindfulness is more than just the latest buzzword. Practicing mindfulness has many benefits for your work and daily life such as raised productivity, reduced stress, increased emotional intelligence, heightened creativity and improved physical well being.
So what exactly is mindfulness?
Being mindful is the ability to be fully present in the moment of whatever you are doing. It could be about doing a task on hand, a conversation with someone, having a meal alone, or working on a skill. Mindfulness is something that everyone is capable of, but it does require practice.
Here are a couple of easy ways of how you can start introducing mindfulness into your daily life.
Habits To Develop Mindfulness
#1: Wake up 3 minutes earlier
Instead of rushing through your normal morning routine, use the extra 3 minutes to sit still and be present in the moment. Take the time to observe how your body feels, what your mood is for the day. This will help to ground you, especially if you are still shaking off your sleepy thoughts, and start the day with the right frame of mind.
#2: Eat mindfully
Put your phone away when you are eating. Chew slower than you normally would, and feel the taste and texture of the food in your mouth, right down to how it slides down your throat. This simple practice gives you time to be more aware of the food you are eating and also helps with digestion.
#3: Enjoy a bit of sun
Make it a routine to take a 10 minute walk every day — whether it’s around the neighbourhood or at a nearby park. Leave your earphones behind at home and pay attention to the sounds around you as you clock those steps. Instead of looking at your phone, look around instead and see if there are any interesting moments in your surroundings that catch your attention.
#4: Pick up a hobby that involves working with your hands
There is something gratifying about creating with your own two hands. It could be woodworking, knitting, or colouring, so long as it is brings you away from your laptop and mobile devices. Not only would you have something tangible for your efforts, sustained practice in this hobby can bring immense satisfaction when you see the improvements that you have made over time.
#5: Meditate
Meditation is one of the most effective and popular methods to practice mindfulness. There are many ways to meditate. A common method is guided imagery, in which you concentrate on a peaceful place or scenario.
