A brand new year is upon us, and whether or not you’ve actually written down a list of resolutions, you’re probably hoping that this year will be better than the one behind you.
We all want to feel like we’re moving forward in a good direction, growing instead of remaining stagnant, experiencing new things, and learning new skills that will make our lives more simple and more meaningful. Doesn’t sound too hard, right? The only problem is that we humans are pretty good at getting into ruts, and not so good at overcoming the inertia created by them.
We all want to feel like we’re moving forward in a good direction, growing instead of remaining stagnant, experiencing new things, and learning new skills that will make our lives more simple and more meaningful. Doesn’t sound too hard, right? The only problem is that we humans are pretty good at getting into ruts, and not so good at overcoming the inertia created by them.
Be mindful.
To be mindful requires you to be HERE. To observe the happenings around you. To be fully engaged with your senses, your words, your thoughts, and the people or things around you.
Make This Year More Mindful.
Here are 7 ideas to help you be more present, aware, and grateful this year.
To be mindful requires you to be HERE. To observe the happenings around you. To be fully engaged with your senses, your words, your thoughts, and the people or things around you.
Make This Year More Mindful.
Here are 7 ideas to help you be more present, aware, and grateful this year.
1. Make some kind of daily practice.
And no, it doesn’t have to be meditating, or praying, or saying affirmations. Think of your ritual as a little thing that acts as a touchstone for each day. This is something that you practice at roughly the same time every day and ideally doesn’t take a huge investment of time, money, or energy. You can do something like mindfully make your bed, do 3 sun salutations, write in your journal, complete a round of breathing exercises, or whatever else strikes your fancy.
2. Put your phone away.
I admit I struggle with this one. I think most of us do. But there’s something that happens during that split second when you’re out to coffee with a friend and you instinctively look at, or pick up, your phone when it buzzes. It creates separation, and you can’t get that moment back. Whoever you are with deserves your full presence, and you cannot be mindfully engaged with someone when your phone is sitting on the table.
3. Monotasking.
As more and more studies are coming out about the actual impossibilities of multitasking, there is a movement to reclaim the idea of “monotasking,” or focusing on one thing at a time. Your brain can actually concentrate better, you’ll end up being more productive, and likely, less stressed when you single-task. Try closing out those dozen browser tabs, put your tablet away during breakfast, or turn off the radio/put the phone down while washing dishes.
4. Join a community.
It’s so much more fun to live a mindful life surrounded with people who strive to do the same thing. Look around your neighborhood, community, and city for meetup groups, spiritual organizations, meditation centers, and other places where you can go to meet like-minded peeps. One of the greatest benefits, in my opinion, of mindfulness, is the ability to connect more authentically with others, so make the most of it!
5. Experience your food.
So many of us eat meals and snacks in a state of extreme distraction, and that prevents us from actually tasting it, or registering when we’re satisfied. Mindless eating has been linked with weight gain, favoring lower quality foods, and general poor health. Give mindful dining a try this year—put away the distractions, utilize all five of your senses to enjoy your food, and pay attention to when your body says, “I’m done!”
6. Take regular “mindful moments.”
I admit, I am guilty of hyperfocusing and powering through a huge task without taking a break, and my body/mind always tell me it’s not a good idea! Taking regular breathers can do wonders for your energy levels, concentration/memory, and preventing burnout. Set a reminder on your phone, watch, or computer to put your task aside for a few minutes. Use that time to stretch, do some deep breathing, or refill your water glass.
7. Gratitude.
It sounds cheesy, I know. But it really does work to shift your mindset and help you be more aware of the events of the day. I’ve found that the easiest way to focus on the joy and abundance around me is to keep a gratitude journal—every night I write down 3 things that I was grateful for that day, or 3 good things that happened. And hey, your gratitude journal counts for #1 too!
Mindfulness doesn’t need to be something that is difficult, and it certainly doesn’t require sitting on a meditation cushion for an hour every day! There are lots of little changes that you can make to create a year of intention, presence, and meaning.
You got this, simply beachy
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