How Can I Be More Mindful?
How Can I Be More Mindful?
Do you find yourself going through life with no idea what you are doing or how you got there? And then one day, you realize that you aren’t even where you want to be? This happens when you lead a life that isn’t mindful. Mindfulness is an awareness of where you are in life, and it is essential if you want to enjoy life truly. Below are a few things you can do to help yourself become more mindful.
Don’t Be Too Hard On Yourself
Negative thoughts can often send you into a mental spiral in which you begin to see the world, or yourself, in a negative light. Instead of thinking of all the things you have done wrong in your life, block these thoughts with positive ones about all the good you have done, and then focus on being present in the here and now, rather than spending all your time on thoughts which may not be accurate.
Relax
A significant part of mindfulness is learning to relax. When you are relaxed, you become more present and mindful of your surroundings. If you are having trouble relaxing, it can help to simply pause what you are doing and take a few deep breaths. You may also want to work on relaxation further by pursuing a tactic like meditation or journaling, which you perform daily.
Stay Present
As mentioned above, if you spend most of your time in your thoughts, whether they are negative thoughts about yourself or worry about future events which haven’t happen yet, this detracts from you focusing on what is going on around you. And being present is truly what helps you lead a more mindful life. When you find yourself struggling to remain present, pause what you are doing, and check-in with yourself. Check-in with your thoughts. Where are they now? Are they focused on what is going on around you? Then check in with your body and take note of the sensations you feel, all the way down to your breathing and heart rate. This may seem dumb, but this is one of the best ways to help keep you present and mindful.
Conclusion
Becoming more mindful can be a difficult task that requires time and practice, so don’t be frustrated if it doesn’t happen overnight. Instead, just focus on not being too hard on yourself, relaxing, and staying present, and being more mindful will eventually come.