How Mindfulness Can Change Your Life
Do you feel life is passing you by? Do you ever wonder where all those years disappeared? Then maybe you need to practice mindfulness.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a practice of focusing one’s awareness on the current moment. It may sound difficult with our mind pulling us in all different directions. Mindfulness can be achieved with meditation, continuous practice and training.
So often I hear people say “time flies”. They say is it Christmas already? Feels like we just had a New Year’s party! Some people say it feels so, because when we are having fun time flies. But I do not agree.
We feel as if time flies not because we are having a lot of fun, but because we are living on autopilot. We are not practicing mindfulness. We do not focus on the present moment most of the time.
Most people spend a majority of their time “zoned out”. They go through their day while being in some kind of mental fog. If they do think, it is about anything but about what they are currently doing.
They get up in the morning, get ready, go to work, Spend 8 hours working, drive back home, have dinner, watch TV and go to bed. Everything is done mechanically.
The next day same cycle repeats.
They think about work when at home. They think about other things that need to be done, or some other personal matter while at work. While driving they may be thinking about bills that need to be paid. They watch TV while eating.
How many times do you really focus and are truly present when you do something? How much do you really focus on task at hand, and savor the moment however ordinary it is?
Agreed, mindfulness needs a conscious effort, but it can be definitely achieved with some effort.
How to practice mindfulness?
One way you can start your mindfulness practice is using guided meditations created for that purpose. Second, you can start being mindful while doing little things. Start with one thing at a time.
You can start with being mindful while taking a shower. Concentrate on how water feels on your body, feel the sensation of warm or cold water. Be in the moment; don’t think about what you need to do later, or something that happened in the past.
Be mindful when you eat. Eat slowly and savor every bite of the food. Indulge and feel the taste and texture in your mouth. If you are using your hands to eat, notice how food feels in your hands.
You can start your mindfulness practice with one or two daily activities in the beginning. Once you are comfortable with that introduce it in more of your activities.
We tend to be more mindful while doing something out of the ordinary or new. We are more aware of our surroundings when we visit a new place. It does not mean that you cannot practice mindfulness with mundane and routine tasks.
Give it a try, practice mindfulness while you fold the laundry, while you dust the furniture or while cleaning.
Be grateful that you have food that nourishes your body and gives you energy. Acknowledge that fact in your mind.
How Mindfulness Can Improve Your Life?
The quality of our life hinges on the decision we make in our day-to-day lives. Mindfulness can improve our decision making process and abilities.
Research has shown that mindfulness can change our brains. It changes how we behave and react to different stimuli. Meaning, mindfulness helps us change for better, how we interact with ourselves and others.
There is evidence that people who practice mindfulness feel less fear, pain and are generally more calm and at peace.
Do not forget, every moment that passes you by IS YOUR LIFE. The life is made up of numerous single moments. Every moment is important. Do not disregard it, be mindful of every moment.
Life is too precious to be spent living in a haze, without being present. Savor each and every moment, experience it to the fullest!
Yesterday’s the past, tomorrow’s the future, but today is a gift that’s why it is called the present. – Bil Keane
The biggest challenge for me has been to stay present while driving. Especially, while driving on my daily routes I tend to slip into autopilot mode.
Have you tried mindfulness? What has been your experience with it? Did you face any challenges, or do you have any great tips to share? Please let me know in comments below.