Simple Ways To Be More Mindful in Your Daily Life

To live a mindful life means to become fully aware of the present and living in the now. There are plenty of ways to become a more mindful person, and doing so can bring a handful of benefits to your overall well-being. If you’re unsure of where to begin, keep reading to learn about some ways you can be more mindful in your daily life.

Find Purpose in Your Day

It can be easy to wake each day with a mental to-do list that grows by the second. Instead of thinking about everything you need to or should be doing, focus on the very moment you are in. To feel your absolute best, you should establish what your intentions are for the day. For example, telling yourself you will be kind to yourself and those around you, remain grounded, and have fun, allows you to consider the people and tasks you can face throughout your day.

You might be wondering exactly how this plays a role in mindfulness, but it’s quite simple. By determining your intentions for the day, you will remain motivated, and your actions will become more meaningful. For an additional boost of mindfulness each morning, consider taking three deep breaths and routinely check in with yourself throughout the day to ensure you’re on the track you want to be. 

Savor Every Bite

Have you ever found yourself mindlessly eating? Whether it’s snacking or eating more than you planned, it can be easy to not notice your actions. However, eating more mindfully can turn something already great, into an even better experience. Try taking a deep breath before eating, as this allows you to slow down and enjoy your meal. Also, listen to your body in terms of hunger and then eat accordingly. 

Food is meant to be enjoyed, therefore, if you find yourself munching on something less than pleasant, stop eating it. A great rule of thumb is to take three slow bites and if the food isn’t something you enjoy based on the taste, textures, and flavors, it will not bring you joy. 

Make Your Cycle Meaningful 

When thinking about your health and wellness, something that may come to mind is your menstrual cycle. Something women endure each month, and most of the time without much thought except for how irritating the experience and its symptoms can be. Instead, think of your period as a metaphor; a time of shedding and letting go—literally. Take this time each month to reflect on your life and find what is meaningful to you as well as what is no longer serving you. 

You can also focus on self-care and alternative methods of protection. Maybe you find tampons and pads uncomfortable or feel they’re stopping you from the flow (metaphorically and literally) that your body is going through. An excellent alternative to typical period products are menstrual cups. Companies such as Cora produce these cups to provide a more sustainable option for those experiencing their cycle. Not only are they a more eco-friendly option that can help to make your period more tolerable, but they also catch your flow instead of stopping it. At the end of the day, it’s all about your intention and how you can make each experience more meaningful to you as a whole. 

Shift Your Thinking

Most of the time, it can seem as though you’re running on autopilot. However one of the most important aspects of mindfulness is slowing down. This, of course, takes practice but is incredibly crucial to living more mindfully. There are ways you can rewire your brain to slow down and shift your thinking. Consider refreshing your thought process often by leaving yourself notes that you can easily stumble upon and be reminded by.

You can also participate in activities that force your brain to slow down, such as meditation. This is not only excellent for your brain but your body as well, and comes with many surprising benefits. To get your feet wet, try online meditation classes, that way you get introduced and comfortable to the activity.

Ultimately, as the saying goes, life is what you make of it. By taking the time each day to live a bit more mindfully, you may find more meaning in the things you do and why you do them.

this post was written by a guest contributor