In this fast-paced world we keep so involved with external things and so, we have lost connection with our inner self by facing new problems and challenges in day-to-day life. Spending too much time on planning, problem-solving, overthinking, decision making, daydreaming and other random stuff can be exhausting. It makes you feel more stressed, anxious and experience trauma and depression. But what if all these problems fade away one by one with just a single mantra? Sounds very peaceful and happy right? Mindfulness also does the same to you if you implement practicing in your everyday life.
What Is Mindfulness?
Well, the mantra discussed above is about Mindfulness. Mindfulness focuses on being intensely aware of surroundings, involves the sense of what you are feeling and experiencing in the present moment without any judgment or interpretation.
Benefits of Mindfulness
Mindfulness acts as a tool to help you identify the negative thoughts and fight them back by bringing more positive thoughts into your life. Mindfulness fosters mental and physical wellbeing and promotes empathy and compassion. Here are a few other benefits of mindfulness.
- Lowers stress levels
- Increases resilience
- Reduces rumination
- Reduces depression and anxiety.
- Reduces physical pain
- Slows the aging process
- Improve sleep quality and reduce fatigue.
- Restores emotional balance.
- Improves focus and concentration and
- Improves cognitive flexibility
The great news is that you can also make mindfulness a part of your life by following a few mindful practices and bring peace and empathy back into your depressed life.
Here Are The Top 9 Easy Tips That Help You Practice Mindfulness.
1. Live In The Moment
Mindfulness is being aware of the things that are happening in front of us in the present moment.
In order to live in the moment, you need to love the things you do such as your job, your surroundings, your daily routine activities, and the people you interact with you on daily basis. Things get typical anyway and unfold naturally no matter how careful you make decisions so, stop worrying about them and concentrate on your present and embrace the beauty of now!
2. Accept Things As How They Are
No person is satisfied with their present amenities. It’s the natural tendency of human beings to wish for better things in their life but a mindful person accepts the things just like how they are and realize their true worth.
No matter to what stage you reach in life, there still comes a need after another so, do not wish for better things and waste your present worrying about it instead hope for better things and work for it. Accept the situations as how they are and learn something new from them.
3. Practice Mindful Eating
When we eat, it provides nourishment to our bodies but many people eat while performing other tasks such as watching a phone or a TV, scrolling through Instagram, reading, talking, or thinking about something. But this causes compulsive overeating, food cravings and also upset the functionality of the digestive system. Smell and touch the food, feel its beautiful aroma and taste while you are eating.
4. Wash The Dishes
Washing dishes mindfully can switch on the senses that might not ordinarily happen. This ordinary task can make your senses focus on the moment, that smell of the soap, the foam over the hands and dishes, the warmth of the water, the feel of holding and sluicing the dishes these invoke the senses and makes you feel good about it.
Research shows that dishwashing mindfully decreases stress and increases calmness, it was found that people who wash the dishes mindfully reported a decrease in nervousness by 27% and an increase in mental inspiration by 25%. So, whenever you feel stressed try doing a task like washing dishes or cooking a recipe of your favorite.
5. Get Lost In The Flow Of Things You Love
We all have one favorite thing which we feel good doing it such as dancing, cooking, drawing, dressing up nicely, etc. we forget our worries and churning thoughts keeping involved doing them because we are pouring all of our attention and interest into the present moment. Doing these things also increases mindfulness and reduces stress. So, incorporate all of your favorite activities on your weekends and see how your happiness will skyrocket.
6. Free Yourself From Distracting Thoughts
In the state of mindfulness, you will observe different thoughts and feelings but you own the power to control them or let them control you. You cannot stop the unnecessary thought cycle but you can distract yourself from it so, whenever you get unnecessary thoughts distract yourself from them by keeping yourself involved in some work or activity this will not just keep you away from stress but you can also do the activity mindfully and feel satisfied about it.
7. Mediate Daily
Meditation has many proven benefits, it also increases energy levels, inspiration, happiness, and inner peace.
It doesn’t have to take long. Even at least 10 minutes of meditation every day can show a positive impact on your life, it also strengthens your mindfulness muscles and keeps you present and active throughout the day.
8. Connect With Your Senses
Your senses including smell, touch, sound, taste, and sight express a lot about your feelings and are a gateway to the present moment. But when you stay lost in things you don’t experience the feelings your senses give you.
Pause and soak up into the nice and beautiful aroma of the coffee, feel the touch of the grass while you walk on it barefoot, the cool breeze whenever you visit the beach, the beautiful and sweet fragrance of the flowers in your neighborhood. Put love and attention into the things you do observe and feel every activity you do and you will be surprised by the happiness and mindfulness they give you.
9. Practice Active Listening
Most of us do not show attention to what others are speaking, we get lost in our own thoughts and act like we are actually showing attention to their words. The next time when you have a conversation with others listen to them with full attention about what they are saying don’t be hurry to give your answer or an opinion just listen to them and see how the quality of conversation changes. Mindful listening always benefits the positive answers so always pay attention to the opposite person’s words.
Final thoughts:
These tips can help you practice mindfulness to a greater extent. If you are still feeling stressed and depressed even after following mindfulness then it’s better to consult with our team at Teletherapy in Minneapolis they provide the best therapy that calms your mind and spirit.