POCKET MINDFULNESS

Here are some very simple things you can do to practice mindfulness

Develop one habit at a time

The first habit is to start your journey slowly. Choose one positive habit and keep at it until it becomes so natural that not a day goes past without it naturally arising.

Practice gratitude

It is important to take daily notice of the blessings we receive; it reminds us to find joy in the smallest of things. As we practice gratitude, we become increasingly aware that theres always something to be thankful for, even in the bleakest situation.

Feel your feet and palms

Clench your hands into tight fists and release. Clench. Release. Clench. Release. Do the same thing with your toes. And if thats too much dexterity, just wiggle your toes. This is one of the physical anchors of self-awareness capable of bringing you into the present moment.

Notice the environment

You dont have to react or manipulate your feelings and surroundings to stay rooted in the present moment; just take notice of whats going on, and move on.

Set a cyclic alarm

Set an alarm to ring every few hours to remind you to stop what youre doing and objectively observe how you are thinking and feeling for a minute or two. This is a simple way to bring your awareness back to centre and prevent being swept along on autopilot.

Breathe deeply

Yoga teachings say that the longer the breath the longer you live. Inhale and slowly count to three, then exhale and do the same again. Employ your entire torso: your nostrils, throat, collarbones, ribcage and diaphragm. Feel the rush of fresh, oxygenated blood fill you with renewed life.

Prioritise

Mindfulness is a practice that needs prioritising. It needs to get as close as possible to the top of your mental awareness, assuming the role of gatekeeper for your daily tasks.

Turn down the noise

Turn off your gadgets for a couple of hours: your TV, your smart phone your tablet. Once you get used to being without these things for while, youll find that you dont miss the noise, and it certainly wont miss you.

Listen, dont just hear

A conversation costs not only your time and attention but someone elses too. Its a precious privilege to be able to listen intently and interact in this way with others. Being mindful of that privilege means offering your undivided attention for the duration of the conversation and being as mentally present as possible.

Watch what you eat

Literally look at, sniff and taste your food properly, and dont do anything else while you eat. Dietary regimes teach us to watch what we eat, but mindful eating makes things much simpler than counting calories. The mindfulness approach triggers a natural ability to identify which foods the body thrives on and those that are just convenient, quick fixes. While eating, consider where your food came from, how it grew and its journey from the land to your plate.

Shower

Workers in the creative fields swear by this. Theres something wholly mindful about washing away the cobwebs, so to speak, and emerging fresh and ready to flourish. Theres also a fair few mindful activities going on while you shower, too.

Delete time-wasting mobile & computer apps

If you havent used an app for more than a month, chances are you dont need it. And if you dont need it, its wasting resource and space. Ever wondered how much time you waste searching through the pile for an app that you actually do need?

Read

Reading is a form of meditation, and a wonderful way to bring the mind home. Reading triggers some of the same effects as meditation: a slowing of thoughts and calming of the mind, reduced heart rate and a heightened ability to focus.

@MissZ @Pat @KrinkTheMellowUnicorn @SoulSings