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5 Simple Practices to Becoming Mindful
Mindfulness can be described as a way of finding inner peace, a way of finding true happiness. A lifestyle that one can create through practice and consistency. To reach complete mindfulness, you achieve a state of mind where you are entirely focused on your awareness within the present moment. Personally, I have been actively practicing mindfulness for the past year and over this period I have put together simple ways you can practice this state of mind and become completely and utterly mindful.
Wake Up and be Mindful
From the moment your eyes unlatch, you are experiencing a new day. A day full of opportunities. It is important to start your day with a clear mind. Before turning on your phone to investigate your notifications from the night before, have an already filled glass of water by your bedside. Drink, as your body is normally dehydrated in the morning. Before getting out of bed, take a moment to sit. Just sit and be still. Be in the moment and take in the morning. Be grateful for waking up this morning and appreciate the day you are going to have before it even starts.
Take Up Meditation…It’s Better Than Sitting Around Doing Nothing
Meditation can be challenging; it sounds simple in theory but naturally our minds tend to wonder. Find a comfortable position to sit in, set a timer for 10 minutes. Start with a clear mind. If your mind starts to develop thoughts, acknowledge those thoughts, and simply let them pass. To achieve a completely still mind, try to focus on your breathing. Be kind to yourself, this is a skill you are practicing, it may take time to become a master.
Nature Calls! It’s Time to Answer
20 minutes is all you need to ground yourself for the day. Find a piece of earth and place both bare feet firmly on the ground. This may sound cliché but thank me later.
Be In the Now
Sometimes we are consumed by our thoughts within the day. This, however, prevents us from being present. Stop thinking of what needs to be done tomorrow or what needs to go on the shopping list for the week. Be present. Feel every drop of water hit your skin while you stand under the shower head. Taste all the flavours for every bite of every meal. Making this a habit will enable you to become mindful throughout the day.
Make Yourself Smile
Make it a goal for yourself to make yourself smile every day. Find things that make you truly happy and do them! Life is a journey and you need to enjoy every second of it.
I will leave you with the famous words of Joseph Goldstein, “Love, compassion, and peace do not belong to any religion or tradition. They are qualities in each one of us, qualities of our hearts and minds…” – A Heart Full of Peace.