Are you familiar with the concept of mindful living? Staying present in your day to day life?
Do you find this concept of mindful living hard?
Maybe you want to begin living more mindfully but not really sure where to start.
If you struggle with this, I've got some exercises for you to try to bring you more into the present and living mindfully...
I want to start with an exercise that has benefited me personally, the most -
Set Up a Meditation Practice
I find it easier if you can create a specific place for doing your meditation. Having that will allow your mind to more easily turn to the meditation when you enter that place.Try to have it as free from distractions as possible. Set a regular time that you can more consistently practice your meditation (the continuity will help develop your meditation better).
A simple meditation that you can call on through out your day is focusing on the inflow and out flow of the breath.
I call it a meditation practice for a reason. You are practicing, so start with where you are, with what you've got and build from there.
If it is only for 10 minutes upon arising, start there and gradually increase your time. Maybe do it a couple of times a day until it is incorporated in your day.
This can give you a base to call on through out your day to help keep you in the present moment.
Set Up Reminders in Places Where You Frequent Regularly
This can be simple yellow sticky notes stuck on your fridge, your laptop, by the sink or use little stickers - BREATH!
Anything that will trigger you to focus and tune in, be more present. Think when you see them - are you breathing in or out - BREATH!
Savor Your Drink
What’s the first drink you reach for in the morning? It might be coffee, tea, or a refreshing smoothie. Before you take your first sip of the day, pause. Take a deep breath and smell your drink. What does it smell like? Taste it. What is the temperature like? What flavors do you taste against your tongue? Notice how the cup feels in your hand as you take another sip. Swallow slowly and concentrate on how your muscles contract as your liquid travels down your esophagus.
Go for a Walk in Nature.
Breath in the fresh air. Feel the breeze on your skin and in your hair. Do you hear any birds singing? What birds are they? What flowers do you see? What thoughts are coming up? How do they make you feel? Take ten minutes to notice your environment as you walk.
Listen to Music
Sit in your most comfortable chair and play some background music that relaxes you.
Being relaxed and as you listen, use this time to focus on your breath. Inhale through your nose, exhale through your mouth. Take deep belly breaths. Allow the thoughts to come and go without trying to hold too tightly to them. Examine each thought like an observer.
Pay attention to how your body may be going into resistance, by starting to itch and squirm. Adjust your posture or scratch if needed. Notice how the thoughts and experiences that come up influence how you feel. Just relax and breath!
Try Coloring
Choose a coloring page that inspires you. Or a sigil drawing that has meaning for you that you can contemplate on. Can you focus or are different thoughts coming up? How are these thoughts affecting you? You may want to journal some of these emotions. It’s OK to alternate between coloring and journaling if it helps you.
Understand that you may feel uncomfortable the first few times that you attempt to practice being mindful. This is completely normal and just means that you’re not use to living in the moment. Keep doing exercises like the ones above regularly and you will eventually become comfortable with the concept of living mindfully.
Want more support living mindfully?
I would like to invite you to come join the Mindful Life community...
Goals of 'Mindful Life'
• To unite meditators across the Steem blockchain so that we can share and strengthen our own practices
• To provide a space to discuss the philosophy, science and practical application of such practices in our lives
• To inspire and motivate each other
• To provide support if we might be struggling, connecting with like minded people who might offer solutions
Mindful Life Discord Community runs through the @naturalmedicine server here. We run group meditations and support each other as we grow through conscious awareness. With much love!
Thanks for stopping by!
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