When we learn to be more mindful, we form deeper connections with ourselves, our environment, and others. There are a number of ways to incorporate mindfulness techniques into your day.
Breathing
Mindfulness, or being mindful of what you’re sensing and feeling in the moment, may involve breathing methods, guided imagery, and other practices to relax the body and mind and help reduce stress. Just spending a few minutes a day concentrating on the act of inhaling and exhaling, or breath meditation, can help:
1. Reduce stress levels in your body
2. Lower heart rate
3. Lower blood pressure
4. Improve symptoms of diabetes
5. Reduce depression
6. Help manage chronic pain
Be in the Moment
Keeping your focus on what’s happening in the now lets us enjoy more of the day’s moments. Listening for birdsong, noticing a new patch of daffodils, recognizing how the light has changed with the longer days, all of these are small moments we can take time to reflect on and find meaning in.
Self-Acceptance
Mindfulness is not just about finding time to meditate. It’s also an approach you can use as a tool for self-acceptance. Being able to see our own experiences clearly and without judgment helps us find ways to cope with our feelings, even if they’re unpleasant.
Listening
Listening is one of our most important communication skills, and the most underutilized. When we set a mindful intent to be an active listener we stay in the present. Listening carefully and attentively will create better and more meaningful relationships between you and your friends, family and partner.
Take Your Time
We often brag about being “multitaskers,” but doing one thing at a time, or “singletasking,” helps you remember more, accomplish more in less time, de-stress, and work smarter instead of harder.
