
Mindfulness is an ever-popular psychological concept that refers to focusing on the present moment. Many a times, we find ourselves distracted with things that have happened in the past and future.
Such preoccupations with things that are out of our control can be particularly time-consuming and distract us from focusing on the challenges that we have at hand. So how do we become more mindful in our lives?
1) Pick a prompt to remind you to be mindful
It can be easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of life, to get sucked into the stress and anxiety that we are accustomed to. However, we must identify the triggers that cause us to feel that way. If we are able to identify a specific prompt that we encounter, we can remind ourselves of the need to be mindful.
It can be something as simple as a door or a bracelet, it essentially just needs to be something visual that acts a cue for you to practice mindfulness and focus on the present rather than getting preoccupied with things out of your control.
2) Practice mindfulness while waiting
There are many times where we are made to wait during the day, for example when we are stuck in traffic or waiting on others. View these as opportunities to exercise mindfulness, to bring yourself back to the present away from the uncertainties in the future and the misgivings of the past.
Waiting is usually a big source of frustration for most of times, hence it is an opportune time to remind yourself of the need to slow your breathing and be thankful for the present. You are going to have to carve out opportunities to practice mindfulness and this is certainly one. Turn an otherwise frustrating time into a productive one.
3) Practice mindfulness during routine activities
Try to associate mindfulness to routine activities such as breakfast or washing up. By doing so, mindfulness becomes a part of your specific routine and it gets ingrained into your mind as a pivotal portion of your day.
Mindfulness may seem like a bore and a chore, hence by practicing mindfulness while doing other activities would greatly help the nurturing of the habit. This may make the activity of mindfulness more interesting and easier to put into practice. Remember that you will only apply it to your life, if it is PRACTICAL.
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