How to Embrace Mindfulness
Letting Go of Our Need to Multitask (at least a few times a day)
Last week we discussed the benefits of mindfulness. I think we can all agree at this point that a little mindfulness in our lives will go a long way. So how do we make it happen?
“When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another – and ourselves.” ~Jack Kornfield
This week we’ll look at ways to become more accepting of mindfulness.
Mindfulness is like weight loss. We’re not looking for a “quick fix,” we’re looking for lifestyle changes. You’ll need to establish new habits and train your mind to be quiet. You’ll need to practice, and the more you practice the more natural it becomes.
Cathy Sykora
Founder, The Health Coach Group
Mindfulness Exercises
Practice a few mindfulness exercises this week. It should make you more aware of what you aren’t mindful of. Set aside some time for them, so you don’t get too busy. Mindfulness can be pure awareness or practiced meditation. It could be that you’re participating in some mindful activities and you don’t even label it as that.
- Seeing things with new eyes. It’s fun watching babies react to objects we take for granted. They respond with new excitement and original perceptions of things that we look at every day and no longer react to. Find a window and look outside. Pay attention to movement, variation in color, shape, and texture. The idea is to look at the world as if you’ve never seen it before. Don’t make judgments, just be observant and aware.
- Look into their eyes. Next time you’re talking to someone, whether it’s your child, spouse, friend, relative, or customer, look into their eyes and listen carefully to what they have to say. Without judgment, think about the meaning of what they’re saying and understand them.
- Focused breathing. Lay down and relax someplace quiet. Feel your breath move in and move out. Pay attention to your nose as the air comes in, notice your belly expanding and collapsing with each breath. Don’t judge the way you breathe, naturally become aware.
The world is a busy place. There always seems to be something there to pull our attention in another direction. When you’re first starting out, you might want to take advantage of some of the tools available, like videos, podcasts, apps, CDs and even classes, that help us to improve our abilities.
Use the code MFL100 for a $100 discount.
Some great and easy to implement tips in this post, Cathy! I love taking a walk in nature and actually ‘look’ at the trees or a bird or a flower to see it with new eyes. I also find our dog and two cats are a way to step back and put my attention on something other than myself, when I focus on the funny things they do that bring me joy.
It is so easy to get caught up in the busyness of world, and I love Jack Kornfield’s quote: “When we get too caught up in the busyness of the world, we lose connection with one another – and ourselves.” This really speaks volumes to me, as I see this as a threat to the way humans socialize and ultimately build relationships with others and with ourself.
This is just so beautiful: “The idea is to look at the world as if you’ve never seen it before. Don’t make judgments, just be observant and aware.” What a wonderful post. Thank you for encouraging us all to take that time out and just BE.
Sometimes when people hear the word “mindfulness” they think of it as this separate practice which needs to be added to the to-do list. When even a few moments spent as you say looking at things with new eyes, looking into someone’s eyes and focused breathing. Nothing difficult. We all can do that.
I agree with you that a little mindfulness in our lives will go a long way. My biggest take away here is looking into people`s eyes without judgment when they talk to me.
These are awesome times and you are so right… we, especially women, feel the need to multitask and we don’t realize how much it damages us. We need to be mindful on what we are doing, focus on the tasks at hand and not let other distractions take over.
Thanks for the tips on how to achieve mindfulness with exercises. I find that breathing techniques help me the most. As with everything, it takes practice & prioritization.
Yes coach! I am practicing mindfulness. I just started Transcendental Meditation. I have stopped listening to music while working and driving which were stimulating me. Yesterday, I have started eating fruits and vegetables only.
I guess the timing was just right for me to read this. I’m multi-tasking right now. Reading and listening to a podcast. I’ll take the advice to heart.