Mindfulness is such a loaded word, and what does it even mean? At first glance, one could assume that it simply means being aware of yourself and your surroundings. However, it is much more than that; mindfulness is recognizing your emotional state and being fully present at the moment. Practicing mindfulness is a choice that is made actively and daily, which can be easier than it sounds. In the same way getting up and brushing your teeth is something you do every day, mindfulness can also be a part of your daily routine.
The easiest way to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine is to just check in with yourself and ask, “How am I?” Usually, the question “How are you?” comes up in small talk and the common filler answer is “good” or “ok.” But a way to practice mindfulness is to really pause your day for a second and ask yourself what emotions you have been feeling and how you are feeling at the present moment. Taking time to be a good friend to yourself and explore any thoughts or feelings that you may have not even realized were occupying space in your mind is the easiest way to practice self-care and mindfulness.
Another way to practice mindfulness is to remember to take breaks and do an activity that brings you peace and stillness. Whether that be taking a walk in the park, journaling, doing yoga or just laying in bed for a while doing nothing. Sometimes dealing with never-ending deadlines, long hours at work and everyday stress makes us forget to take a moment to relax and dedicate time just for ourselves. Taking two minutes to do simple breathing exercises or stretching a little bit can make a big difference in your day.
Mindfulness can be practiced by grounding yourself and being present at all times. We all know how easy it can be to detach from the moment and ruminate or have your thoughts racing a million miles per hour. Both these things can leave us not really living in the moment and in a way, paralyze us. When you are present with yourself, others, and how you are feeling, then you are able to be your truest self and make decisions that resonate with you.
Lastly, being patient with yourself and others is a big step that takes time, but being able to give yourself grace is the most mindful thing you can do. Being aware and in tune with your body and emotions is one thing, but learning what to do with that information is where personal growth begins. Recognizing when you are being too harsh with yourself and then taking the effort to correct and give yourself grace is one of the ways that you can practice mindfulness to the fullest extent.
Like all habits, it will take time to get used to practicing mindfulness and remembering to be mindful. However, as long as you continue to be gentle and remember to ground yourself, every day can be a day where you practice mindfulness.