Many of us set a goal to be more mindful or present throughout our daily lives. However, this can be very challenging when things get busy. The distractions of work, school, family, friends, and more can get in the way. Instead of trying to completely overhaul your approach to life to be more mindful, try making small changes instead. Here are a few things that can increase your mindfulness as you go about your day.
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- When you say hello or goodbye to someone, really take the time to make it a sincere greeting. This will help you be more present in your relationships with the people around you and be attuned to them. Often, we just wave or smile without really thinking about our interactions, which can lead to a feeling of detachment in relationships. If you stop to think about someone when you greet them, it can increase your feelings of goodwill or affection for them.
- Try to eat more slowly. We are very lucky to have the opportunity to eat delicious food every day, but many of us take this for granted, which leads to us overeating or eating foods that are neither good for us nor particularly tasty. Instead of speeding through a meal or eating while you are watching TV, try instead to sit down with your meal and pace yourself, savoring every bite. You’ll find that food will seem more enjoyable and that you’ll eat less.
- Avoid multi-tasking. Although many people believe that multi-tasking is the best way to get more done, it can actually be very detrimental to our productivity – and our stress levels. When you multi-task, you aren’t fully present in the work that you are doing, so you don’t give it the time and attention that it deserves.
- Take time to walk to places nearby that you need to go instead of driving. A nice walk presents a great opportunity to really be mindful of your surroundings and enjoy the weather and the place that you live. A walk can also give you a chance to be mindful of your body, and take inventory of what feels good and what could use a little rest and care.
- When you have to deal with daily chores or responsibilities, don’t look at them as a negative, but instead try to view them more as a time where you can take an inventory of your mind and body and really think about yourself and the space around you. Many chores can actually be very meditative, so incorporating them into your daily routine will be good for both your brain and the cleanliness of your home.
Although it can be challenging to be mindful from day to day, it gets easier with practice. Instead of thinking about your daily challenges as a negative thing, instead try focusing on how you can use them to your advantage by really being mindful. Over time, your complete mindset will feel more peaceful and positive.
