Have you ever found yourself sitting in the dimness of your office at the end of a long day, the aroma of an empty cup of coffee on your desk and, as you gaze at your to-do list, with the sound of the clock ticking in the background, wondering: how on earth did time pass so quickly today??
Well, I’ve often felt the same way, realising I didn’t even have one single moment of calm throughout my day!
Incorporating mindfulness practices as part of my daily routine has been essential to improve my presence and emotional well-being. This is even more important considering that my work is about helping others who might be in difficult situations.
Here are some easy ways that helped me embrace mindfulness more.
1. Prioritise Self-Care
Ever felt like being in a hamster wheel for hours, rushing through the day? I sometimes felt like this until I decided I was owning my calendar and not viceversa! I felt I needed to slow down and take care of myself to be in a position to help others.
Self care for me means getting enough sleep, maintaining a balanced diet, and engaging in activities that bring me joy. It might mean something different for you. In practice we all have to set boundaries to have enough me-time.
Self-care is the foundation for a healthier and more mindful lifestyle.
2. Listen to Your Body
When I was living in the hamster wheel, I sometimes checked in with myself: how am I feeling now? I often felt tension in my shoulders and fatigue. My body was constantly communicating with me, but I often overlooked the signals.
If we regularly check in with ourself to understand how we’re feeling physically and emotionally, we can make more informed decisions about your well-being.
3. Practice Focused Activities
Before even knowing about mindfulness, I had realised that connecting to nature, practicing sports or playing my guitar were helpful when I felt out of balance. These are all activities that demand full attention, such as also reading a book, solving puzzles, engaging in creative work. These focused activities help quiet the mind by redirecting attention away from stressors. As we immerse ourself in these activities, we create a space for mindfulness to naturally unfold.
4. Stay in the Present Moment
Ever been in conversations with people who were not actually there? Maybe they were multitasking or distracted by technology. Having learned to be fully present in conversation with my clients, I am particularly sensible in regards to living in the present moment.
This involves fully engaging in the current activity or conversation without dwelling on the past, worrying about the future or engaging in other activities at the same time. I achieve it by consciously focusing on my surroundings, senses, and emotions. And it has a significant impact in creating deeper connections with the people around me and it adds meaning to my life.
5. Practice Gratitude
My little one used to have a negative attitude towards life, often seeing the glass half empty rather than half full. During our family dinners, my husband and I started to share and celebrate the good things that happened to us during the day. We made it a competition: who has more wins a prize. He struggled at the beginning and sometimes passed the word to his brother when it was his turn to share. But then he learned to shift his focus from what had not been so great to the things he was grateful for.
Gratitude journaling is a well known practice that improves emotional balance and resilience.
You are invited to join our FREE ‘Coaching Dojo’ to practice in a safe space and get feedback on your skills from an ICF MCC certified mentor coach.
About Author
