Mindfulness is something that has been around for ages in different civilizations but it seems like we, as a culture, have just caught up to mindfulness. This is a term that in recent years seems to be everywhere, whether you attend a yoga class regularly or if you just follow any celebrity that talks about mindfulness. You hear this term but you may not know exactly what it is. This post will help you learn what mindfulness is all about and show you why you should be following this hot trend.
But what does it mean to be mindful? By paying attention to the present moment, we can begin to appreciate what we already have in life—and grasp the key to life.
The problem is that mindfulness means something different to everyone. Some people believe that to be truly mindful they need to always be in a state of meditation, or at least a state that is always calm and thoughtful. Others feel that it is more about not judging other people for who they are while being more present in their everyday life. No matter which type of mindful person you are, you are following a distinct ideology that aims to help you live a more fulfilling life. How mindful you are is not the issue; it is whether you put that mindfulness into action.
You can use mindfulness in your everyday life in a variety of different ways. One way to do this is to be mindful of what you eat. When you’re eating, take a very close look at what is in the food that you are consuming. If you are eating foods that are heavily processed and full of undesirable things like additives and preservatives, this may not be ideal for living a healthy life. You could also be eating foods that are full of pesticides that can be harmful to your health. If you blindly eat these foods, you could be putting yourself at risk. Be sure to look closely at the ingredients and see what you are putting in your body so that you can make more conscious decisions.
This also applies to working out. Exercise is important but everyone is different. Some people need more exercise than others. You need to be mindful of your body to give it exactly what it needs without overexertion, which can be harmful to your body. Pay attention to what it needs so that you don’t overdo it.
You should also make yourself more mindful of what is going on around you by staying up-to-date with current events. Make sure to get different perspectives so that you can make your own informed decisions. Most importantly, think for yourself and don’t allow others to sway your values and beliefs.
Another technique that you should focus on is the mindfulness of your thoughts and body sensations. This is tapping into how your body is feeling. As for your mind, we all have access to a powerful tool which is our ‘inner voice’. Pay attention to your intuition and follow it.
A good technique is being mindful of your breath. Focusing on your breath is a good way of training the mind to be in the present moment. But it’s surprisingly hard to be mindful of each breath. Best way to master it is by practicing yoga and meditation. Focus on your breathing, with one deep inhale and exhale you will notice your mind begin to shift. You can begin just to observe it, without bringing opinions, anticipation, and judgment.
These are only a few of the ways that you can use mindfulness in your daily life. Being mindful is very important to your overall health and happiness. It’s the best way to create a better quality of life. You can take small steps every day to become a more mindful you.
Guest Post by Heidi Fraser
