Mindfulness is a practice that has become popular of late. In fact, there is even research out there showing that meditation and mindfulness can ease depression.
Ladies Home Journal recently published a list of ways to implement mindfulness in 10 areas of your life.
- With your child. Pay attention to rituals instead of trying to rush through them.
- With a friend, spouse, or coworker. Don’t be quick to end a conversation. Try to fully listen and react honestly is said.
- With a stranger. Become aware of the judgments you automatically form on a flimsy basis.
- During exercise. Note when your breathing becomes laboured when your temperature rises, and when fatigue or pain sets in.
- At work. For one minute each hour, stop everything you’re doing and focus only on your breath.
- While eating. Eat slowly, tasting each bite, thinking about how the food got to the table, and appreciating how it fuels your body.
- During your leisure time. Connect with the timeless rhythms of nature.
- When you experience a negative emotion or physical pain. Be aware and accepting of the bad stuff as well as the good stuff. When you’re sick or upset, fully feel it and accept it as your present mental or physical state.
- While watching television. The more aware you are of your responses to television and how you “use” it, the more conscious you can be in choosing to watch programs that are relaxing and gratifying.
- Anytime. Doing something slowly diminishes your stress level, builds patience, and helps us appreciate things that don’t offer immediate gratification.
Making an effort to slow down, appreciate the moment, and take inventory of what’s happening around you can bring you new perspective, insight, and maybe even peace.