Mindfulness is another way of saying we need to be more present in the moment. Be focused, open, and intentional. So how do we become more mindful?
I’ve compiled a short list of exercises you can do, every day, alongside your regular activities. Yup, you don’t need to set aside hours for any of these things. You should be able to do each of these things in a minute or less! Now, some of them might feel a little silly until you consciously think about why you’re doing them.
These short exercises will keep your mind from wandering, can re-center your thoughts, and can help you concentrate on the task at hand. Try to do each of these multiple times a day.
Mindfulness Exercises:
- Stretch and yawn. You can even do a fake yawn, if you need to (these will often trigger real yawns). This will interrupt your wandering thoughts. Stretch for 10 seconds to help ease any tightness in your body—especially if you work at a desk job.
- Eat something small. This is why I keep a small container of individually wrapped dark chocolate in my desk drawer. I engage all of my senses when I eat it and I do so slowly. Remember to savor and let it linger.
- Meditation with your own mantra. For one minute, stop what you’re doing and close your eyes. Take in slow, deep breaths and release them slowly also. Repeat your own mantra, something that means a lot to you. My mantra is:
- “Try to be kind. Try to be creative. Try to be happy.”
Remember that the point of being mindful is to help you regulate your emotions, and decrease your anxiety levels, stress levels, and the occurrence of depression. Your attention span will improve, banish temporary short-term negative feelings, and can decrease your levels of loneliness.
There are also some great physical health benefits too. Being mindful can help you get better sleep, help you with your physical activity goals, and (working alongside healthy practices) can help regulate your blood sugar levels and weight goals.