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Mindfulness is all about tuning the brain to focus on the present moment. It is important to state this fact because sometimes the true essence of mindfulness is lost. Mindfulness can be applied in our daily lives. Focusing on the here and now, gives us greater peace of mind and clarity. Using this approach, we can avoid drifting through our lives in confusion, being consumed by thoughts of what could have been or planning for things that are out of our control. This is a key to living life on purpose.
There are many simple ways to practice mindfulness. Here are 3 tips for being mindful that you can apply every day.
1. Mindful Eating
Eating mindfully is something that many people take for granted. All too often, many of us are always in a hurry to finish a meal and miss enjoying one of life’s most simple and wonderful pleasures. Next time when having a meal, try to eat mindfully. Before you begin eating, take notice of the presentation of food and the scent. Take small bites and chew slowly while paying attention to the texture and taste of the food. When you immerse yourself fully in the moment, this not only makes mindful eating more enjoyable, but also helps with digestion and prevents overeating.
2. Listen Mindfully
Conversations with other people present another great opportunity to put active mindfulness into practice. Sometimes when other people talk to us, we may be there physically but not with our whole being. We think about what to say next or judge what others are saying. We mentally agree or disagree with them before they even finish talking.
To listen with mindfulness, you will need to focus fully on others when having a chat. Next time you have a conversation with a loved one or colleague, avoid getting caught up in your own mental chatter. Pay attention to what they are saying. People appreciate when you truly listen and they will likely respond in kind when it is your turn to speak.
3. Pay More Attention While Attending to One Thing at a Time
In today's fast paced world, multitasking has become a common trend as people attempt to get more done within a short amount of time. And, while people think that multitasking makes us more productive, it only leads to needless quick exhaustion. When one tires quickly, mistakes are bound to be made. This can be avoided by doing things one at a time and with mindfulness. When you take on tasks with full focus, one by one, this leaves little room for mistakes or forgetting things due to rushing. You will find that you are more efficient and less worn out when attending to each task one at time mindfully.
Keep in mind that there are plenty of other opportunities in our daily lives to be mindful and live fully in the moment. By practicing mindfulness on a daily basis, the brain eventually learns how to be more efficient and better integrated. You will start to experience improved focus and less distractibility. Stress levels will go down as well. This in turn will make your daily activities, thoughts, attitudes, and perceptions more balanced.