Too often, many people let life pass them by. In actuality, it’s not intentional. People lead such busy lives that they track their dates according to the bills that are due, the engagement they need to attend and the commitments they need to fulfill. Before you know it, the year has flown by. This is the primary reason why so many people can’t believe how much time passes when they look up at the end of the year. Mindfulness is an incredibly helpful art and practice that many should adopt and practice daily. Mindfulness encourages a person to get in the moment and stay there. If more people lead lives of mindfulness, they’d be more fulfilled and less stressed.
Consider practicing mindfulness in the following ways:
1. Breathing
Pay attention to your breath. Since breathing isn’t a struggle for most people, they don’t consciously pay attention to it. It’s innate and will happen whether a person likes it or not. After all, it’s one of the processes of a living human being. Take deep breaths as they are restorative and cleansing for the body. Try breathing practices and meditation. These habits will help you get rid of stress, keep track of your emotions and stay in the present moment.
2. Listening
Even though most people have the ability to hear, listening is a skill. In a lot of conversations, people listen to respond. This is incorrect. It’s important to listen to a person in order to understand what they’re trying to communicate. A great way to practice mindfulness involves the use of your two ears and discipline. Discipline yourself to be quiet when other people are talking. The culture is shifting and more people are speaking up and letting their voices be heard. This isn’t a bad thing. When you’re passionate about a specific issue, speak up. However, when it comes to dealing with people in conversation, be intentional about listening to what they have to say. As you absorb the information, sit with it and see how you feel about it. After that, respond. It’s also good to listen to authors like Ilchi Lee. Author Ilchi Lee shares wisdom regarding how to meditate and become more mindful of the present.
3. Eating
While many people love to eat and indulge in delicious foods, oftentimes, people rush through their meals. Breakfast happens on the run. Lunch gets consumed at the laptop while you’re working. Dinner is typically fast food consumed on the ride home. Take time to contemplate when you sat at a table, eat a meal with your family with no distractions. Turn off the television, put away the phone and sit down to enjoy a healthy meal with your family at least twice a week. Savor each bite and enjoy it. You’ll digest your food better and it’s a great way to be mindful of what you’re consuming. You might even like the taste of the food even more.
4. Traveling
There’s something about traveling outside of your current environment that’s incredibly humbling. There’s a whole world outside of your current one, but if you don’t take the time to see it, you’ll never know. If you’ve never traveled outside of the country, start by visiting a country that’s a few hours away by plane. Mexico and the Caribbean islands are great options for unplugging and getting immersed in the culture. It’s nice to take pictures, but do your best to indulge and experience the moments as they come. Traveling is such a restorative experience.
If you can’t afford or it’s just not your idea of a fun vacation – taking a trip to Mexico or the Caribbean islands don’t fret because I am sure if you search you will find someplace close to your home that is just a short drive and learn about an historic site, visit a museum where you can learn about new technology that can be helpful in your daily life. You can learn about the history of our country and the future which both can help enlightening your mind to new and old ideas. Or go to a local or national park where Nature is thriving and enjoy the peace and quiet – what better way to practice mindfulness?
Mindfulness is part of healthy living, that will help you be happier and support your own being – mind, body, and spirit. Make sure you are putting health and wellness first by providing a healthy environment that includes relaxation, social interaction with friends and family, enjoying life, and making the world a better environment for you and your family to thrive in.
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This is awesome, thanks for sharing! 🙂
HI Sam,
Glad you found my article helpful. Have a healthy day!
This excerpt from your post resonates with me…”Mindfulness is an incredibly helpful art and practice” especially the words “art” and “practice.” I tend to strive for perfection, and this reminds me all I have to do is show up and be present in the moment. Have a blessed day and will reshare.
HI Nancy,
The art of mindfulness has always intrigued me and the older I get the more I seem to understand it and how useful in can be in my daily life. Thanks for reading my article, sharing it and commenting. Have a healthy, happy & blessed day!