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Are you so busy every day that you don’t stop to enjoy the moment?
How would you like to learn how to live more in the present and be more mindful?
Learning how to be more mindful can help you appreciate the simple things in life, become completely engaged in activities, and take it in as much as possible. It has also been shown to be effective for a wide range of physical and mental health issues.
Many people believe that they become less mindful as they age because their thoughts begin to run off. Haven’t you seen a little kid running around completely enjoying life with absolutely no worries? Yes, they were being mindful and living in the moment…
Some people might not realize how big of an issue that this is but it’s basically wasting your life away. I personally felt like it was a problem in my life and that’s why I have been working on it and want to share some ideas with you.
1.Realize you are here, right now
Think about how much time you have spent trying to analyze what happened in a certain situation and wishing you could’ve changed it. Now think about all the time you have spent planning your future out.
Having goals and being organized is proven to be helpful but they can co-exist with the here and now. Spending too much of your time on thoughts of the past or future can prevent you from truly taking pleasure in the time being.
One thing I’ve learned is that plans tend to change quickly even if its not in our control.
I used to spend so much time planning every little detail of my day out. This was until I realized that one flat tire can switch up all your plans… Things will happen in our lives that will completely throw us off track…and that’s okay, it’s life. All we can do is live for today.
It’s time to realize that the past is in the past and tomorrow will worry about itself. LIVE NOW!!
2. Eat your food mindfully
Recently, I have tried to really take in the flavor and texture of each food that I am eating. Noticing the temperature and really trying to feel the whole digestion process is a good idea too. I’ve found that slowing down and really concentrating on each bite and its individual taste can be helpful. This seems to make me appreciate the meal more and really indulge in it.
Also, I have been doing this and I challenge you to try it as well. To eat every meal like it’s your first time trying that food. It’s more delicious that way!
Instead of saying “live every day like it’s your last”
We should say “eat every meal like it’s your last” ;P
3. Be aware of your body and senses
Our body is our home. We are always using our body/senses but it’s not often that we are completely aware of it. Take a moment to do a body scan.
Roll your head around and feel your muscles in your neck stretching, smell the air that is around you, taste your mouth, and feel your feet pressed firmly on the ground. All of this happens all day long, but how often do you really pay attention to it and enjoy the factors of it?
Learn more about using your senses for mindfulness
4. Take a deep breath…or ten
We have taken thousands of breaths throughout our life without ever putting effort into it. Concentrating on your breath proves to calm you down and to get you to pay attention to the here and now.
Watch as you breathe in, your lungs expand and your stomach rises vs. when you are breathing out and your stomach falls. Focus all of your attention on your in-breath and then your out-breath, not on any past problems or projects due. Use this moment to recognize that breathing is a way of life, without it, you wouldn’t be here or reading this… you are ALIVE.
5. Put your phone down
If I can do this one, you can too. I have found it helpful to spend about 15 minutes catching up on my phone and then disconnecting from it and leaving it in a drawer for several hours when I get home each afternoon.
Freeing yourself from all the emails and social media distractions will help you become more aware of what is going on around you. Don’t you want to be able to enjoy your time off at home without having to worry about something else happening somewhere else?
6. Turn everyday tasks into mindful moments
Realize that mindfulness isn’t just a five-minute task and then it’s over. Mindfulness is acceptance of the moment that we are in without trying to change anything.
The goal here is to try and use these practices daily. It is beneficial, so why not incorporate it into our everyday lives? To do this, just put more attention into each of your everyday activities.
Some things that I try:
-walking to the car and noticing the breeze and sunshine on my face
-listening carefully to each conversation and to the lyrics in a song
-showering, feeling the temperature and pressure of the water as it goes onto our skin
-feeling the sand/grass in between my toes
-hearing the microwave beeper go off .. (I love food!!)
7. Spend time in nature
Research has found that spending time in nature can reduce stress and help you feel more connected. Also, nature tends to create a peace of mind, helping you destress from all the other tasks going on in your life.
Nature is always present. It is always here and now. Spending time outside in nature, listening to the birds and feeling the breeze will help surround you with the present and keep you aware (along with less stress)!
8. Listen, mindfully
How often is it that you are having a conversation with someone and got completely distracted and missed the message that they were trying to deliver?
Rebecca Shafir states in her book that the average person only remembers about 25% of what someone just said.
To listen mindfully, one must give your full attention. Turn off any loud noises/distractions and silence your own thoughts. Give all of your focus and listen slowly and carefully.
Mindful listening can benefit you in multiple ways.
-You are learning something from someone else’s experience or opinion.
-You are gaining respect from that person because they will feel understood and as if you cared.
-This will help you pause before you speak and to think about your response effectively.
9. Don’t wish your days away
Life is filled with good days and bad days. As well as exciting moments and terrible moments.
Finding the rainbow in the rain is a great quote for this matter. I remember my first break-up, I was constantly depressed and waiting for the day that I would find someone new to be with. It took me several months but I then figured out that I was in no rush and that this time could be spent on me!!! I then spent this time working on myself as an individual.
Many of us are counting down the days till our next vacation, graduation, or retirement. This is life though, they are all chapters, stop rushing the book and enjoy each page. Take each situation as it comes.
Remember: Do not put your life on hold just because there is a cloud in the sky… every single experience in your life guides you to an opportunity. And of course, you should plan and have goals for the future. Just make sure not to spend all of your time on this because it can and will change!!
“Be happy in the moment, that’s enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.” – Mother Theresa
Take things 1 Day At A Time….
IF YOU LIKED IT THEN YOU SHOULDA PUT A PIN ON IT!
Do you live in the moment or dwell on the past while waiting for tomorrow? These practices have been helping me overcome that issue!
Have you tried any of these practices before?
If so, which is your favorite?
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Remember... no matter what challenges you face,
Take it 1 Day At A Time.
28 Comments
very helpful tips! I’ve recently started a regular meditation class and I’m loving it!
I am so glad to hear that! Thanks for reading and sharing(:
I loved every bit of this post! I have been slowly practicing mindfulness in my home life and classroom, and it has made a difference in how insee things. I have to admit though, putting down the phone is the hardest thing to do! Kudos to you for accomplishing that! I look forward to reading more of your posts!
Thanks so much and that makes me happy to hear! The phone is also my most challenging part too… Thanks again! Excited to have you as a new reader for my posts!
awesome post. I will have to try a couple of these. I recently did most of a day with no tech and it is amazing how the whole day changes.
I’m gonna try that one day soon.. I like the sound of that, thank you for the comment and sharing an idea:)
Thanks for this reminder. Being in the moment is hard for me. I always seem to waver between being in the past and thinking of the future but never thinking about right now.
Laura, it is definitely a struggle for me too. I hope this helps !! Thank you for the comment (: best blessings
These are such important things to remember! I find when I live my days more mindfully, finding joy in the little things, I have so much more energy when Friday rolls around. The phone tip is huge…last year I started putting my phone on DND between 10PM and 8AM, and it has helped so much! I can actually sleep, enjoy time with my dog, savor that first coffee, etc…some weekends I will sneak the little DND symbol on too…Great tips!
Thank you so much for sharing Jody!
The phone tip is huge, you’re right. That seems hard to do so props to you! SOunds like it has definitely improved your life! Thanks for the comment.
Putting your phone down is probably the best tip! It really can distract us!
Yes, it definitely can! Thanks for reading, Heidi.
Excellent thoughts and reminders! I tend to spend way too much time ‘multi-tasking’ and not enough enjoying each activity, no matter what it is. Thank you for posting.
Yes, multitasking is actually distracting us and hurting us, not helping us.
Glad you enjoyed this, thanks for reading!
Mindfulness is something that I’m really trying to practice more, as I have terrible anxiety. It’s crazy how time just passes by without us noticing. These are great tips 🙂
Yes, time goes by very quickly. I agree with that. Thanks for reading Kelli:)
These are really good pointers! Thanks for sharing and I find that putting the phone away definitely brings some mindfulness.
Thanks for reading and the comment Adrina(: I agree
Thank you for the tips! It’s funny how walking in nature can do wonders. I feel so lucky when I can find a forest so close by even if I live in a city. Especially leaving the phone out is definitely something I’ve tried and it really helped!
http://www.nouw.com/ladolcemusica
The phone is killing the mindfulness game for sure! & Nature is a huge help… it is one of my favorites because my mind just completely clears for a minute. Thanks for reading and sharing!!(:
This is a very good post. It is so important to breathe. It is funny that it needs to be said, but it does.
I know.. it is kind of funny.. Lol. Thanks for reading Jennfier!
Always, always appreciate the reminder to practice mindfulness. The older I get, the more reminders I need! ????
I already need a lot of reminders, so that makes me nervous to think that one day it will be worse! I guess that is a reason to start practicing more:)
This is such a great reminder on how important it is to be mindful!
Mindfulness is important and essential in life! Thank you for the comment????
Living in the present is definitely something I strive to do a better job at.
Yes, it seems to be getting harder as we age… Just try your best to continue practicing mindfulness. Stop in the moment and just smell the flowers, life is short!
Thanks for reading Amie