What is Mindfulness?

Practicing Mindfulness in Everyday Life

Mindfulness, which involves focusing our awareness on the present moment, greatly benefits our mental and emotional wellbeing. While often used interchangeably, mindfulness and meditation are not exactly the same. You don't need to follow traditional meditative practices to be mindful.

Here are some ideas on how to practice mindfulness in everyday life:

Mindfulness in Daily Activities

Consider your household chores. Feel the warm water on your hands as you wash dishes, feel the vibrations of the vacuum cleaner on the floor, savor the smell of freshly cleaned laundry. Try to be present for each task, instead of rushing through them.

When taking a walk, pay attention to your breath, breathe deeply. Feel your feet in your shoes, and your shoes on the ground with each step. Listen to the birds, take in the colors of the flowers, take notice of the world moving around you and you moving through it.

Mindfulness in Interactions

Being mindful as you communicate with others benefits both you and them. Mindfulness in a relationship involves observing and responding without judgement. Focus on what others say before responding, reply with intention, give them your full attention (limit your distractions, make an effort to stop scrolling). Being present in each conversation deepens your connection with others, letting them know you are truly there in that moment with them.

Practicing Pausing

As you transition from one activity to another, staying mindful can be challenging. Try taking a moment to check in with yourself, ask yourself how you are right now, and what you need. Perhaps it's a 10-minute walk, a replay of your favorite song, or simply taking a few deep breaths. Grounding yourself in your body and in the moment helps you move through your day-to-day life with more thoughtfulness.

Mindfulness is a practice that takes time to become a natural part of your life. It's tough to calm our rambling mind and drop into the moment. The more you practice, the better you will be at implementing these ideas, and the easier it will become to be more present while moving through your day.