There is a lot of buzz around mindfulness these days. It can get overwhelming, but I think there is value in practicing being mindful when you need to slow down. I know I can get caught up in the day-to-day, particularly teaching; once you get into a solid routine with work, every day can feel like groundhog’s day. To me, taking time to stop and just be calms me down and grounds me in the present moment. When I stop, I remember who I am and what I want.
I think anyone can practice mindfulness, and it can be rather easy to implement this practice into your daily routine. You could start today, right now. Here are 4 easy ways that I practice living mindfully:
1. Establish a home yoga practice.
Guys, this is so easy. Trust me. I highly recommend getting started with Yoga with Adriene. She has a free, online practice for all levels and all needs. Seriously! She gets as specific as having videos for dancers, for the classroom, for golfers, for mood swings, for headaches, and so much more. She has everything from 5-minute morning videos to 45-minute flow videos. I started with her 30 Days of Yoga series – it got me in a routine of doing yoga at home every day. She is a funny, sweet instructor (I have even taken a class from her in real life!) and so relatable. Try establishing your own home yoga practice! It’s so worth it.
2. Try a meditation app.
I use Simple Habit (they have a free and premium version). Their free On the Go series provides 5, 10, and 20-minute sessions for sleep, work, commuting, and more. For premium users, they regularly add new series to their collection – their topics vary from focus and well-being to resilience and relationships. Never underestimate the power of a little deep breathing.
3. Journal daily.
I write every night before bed in my journal about my day, thoughts, feelings, and observations. I also write a short poem. Not only is this a vital release at the end of my day, but it is fun to look back at previous entries! I’ve been doing this for years and am always glad to have my thoughts down on paper.
4. Take a walk or run, without headphones.
Go to the park, but don’t take headphones with you. Just walk (or run) by yourself, and listen to the world around you. You will be more aware of your surroundings and the people around you. You may even stop to have an enlightening conversation with a stranger, or at least pet a cute dog!
How do you feel about practicing mindfulness? What is your favorite way to be mindful? Would love to hear about it in the comments!
Love, Bee
[…] can be easy to get in a funk when the days change. If you need some centering, try my easy tips for living mindfully. Something as simple as establishing a home yoga practice can completely change your mood and […]