Life really does seem to get more and more hectic, especially when you live on the road. There are always things to be getting on with, whether it’s finding a place to park for the night, or emptying the loo. However, we feel it’s so important to incorporate mindfulness and a little calm into every day. With the start of 2020 upon us, it seems like a perfect time to reflect and vow to do better as we move into a new decade! Here are 5 Simple Ways To Add Mindfulness Into Your Daily Routine.
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Why does mindfulness matter? Why bother, right?
Being mindful helps us to slow down and enjoy the little things. People who practise mindfulness regularly have more control over their emotions (always a good thing, right?) and tend to have less stress or a better handle on stress. It can help you stay focused and increase your attention span. Mindfulness can help you check in with yourself and connect with your thoughts and feelings more clearly, which I feel most of us could benefit from.
Here are a few small steps you can take to implement more mindfulness into your daily routine to hopefully improve your quality of life. You can choose just one or schedule all five into your week!
1. Add Mindfulness Into Your Daily Routine by Journaling
Writing down your thoughts and feelings is a great way to release them. Often, things get us down and can consume our thoughts. For instance, if a co-worker did something to annoy you, you can’t go around shouting about it, but it bothered you. Write it down, and release it. Journaling can also help you become more centred and connected to your thoughts. Sitting down and taking stock of your feelings can reduce stress and boost your mood.
If you are not much of a writer and the idea of journalling feels a little overwhelming, I started by writing down three things each day that I was grateful for. This not only gives you time to reflect but also can help to rewire your brain into thinking positively.
Update: In 2024, I STILL do this, but I am using the Presently App. It gives you a little reminder each day to input what you’re grateful for. It’s a super simple app, but the user face is pretty, and it gets the job done.
2. Start your day with intention
Most of us enjoy hot tea or coffee in the morning. Here’s how you can make a mundane part of your routine a mindfulness practice. Bringing mindfulness into a simple activity like this can help us to control our awareness. Break away from autopilot and try to focus on each part of the process.
Choose a mug you love, smell the tea bag before you pop it in the cup, and notice how the colours change as you pour the water over the bag. Then drink! Enjoy each sip, notice how it feels, the taste, the temperature. This brings your awareness to the here and now and is a super easy way to 5 Simple Ways To Add Mindfulness Into Your Daily Routine!
3. Rinse Away your Worries in the Shower
Showing is another thing most of us (hopefully) do daily and is a perfect time to incorporate some mindfulness. Usually, your shower time is solitary, away from your phone, distractions and the outside world. (It might be an idea to keep your phone on silent or away from the bathroom so it doesn’t tempt you to hop out of the shower and check that notification). To bring mindfulness to your shower, try to bring intention to each step. Instead of whipping your clothes off and chucking them aside, take each item off one by one and fold it neatly.
Once in the shower, focus on the sensation of the water, letting it destress you. Try not to let your mind water; focus on the sensations and feelings. Washing with intention and using products you love with care will help ramp up the enjoyment here.
4. Add Mindfulness Into Your Daily Routine with a Good Book
Reading mindfully will not only help you bring some peace to your day but also help you engage more with what you are reading and, therefore, benefit more from it. To start with, find somewhere comfortable and quiet. Somewhere you’re happy to sit and won’t be distracted is best, although a lot of us cannot escape distractions easily. Then, begin to read, start slowly and practise focusing your full attention. Enjoy the sensations and try to lose yourself in your book without being consumed by other thoughts and to-do’s or other things that clutter your mind.
If the text is too difficult or gives you negative feelings, perhaps you should choose another book. Personally, I think there is a book out there for everyone, so if you’re not enjoying it, DNF it and move on!
5. Move Your Body with Yoga
Yoga is a great way to focus on the moment and sensations in your body while connecting with your breath. To get the most out of your yoga practice and embrace as much mindfulness as you can, try to follow these steps. Remove your phone from the situation. Start slow, and notice how each move feels! Stay connected to your breath.
If you’re in a class with others, resist the urge to compete and go with your body doing as much or as little as feels good! Another way to practice is using YouTube, which has a ton of great yoga practices; even if you can only spare 10 minutes a day, it’s sure to increase your awareness and focus and help you to be more mindful. Personally, I love using Yoga With Adriene.
Bonus Round: If none of the above feels like something you can incorporate into your daily life, you can pick just one time during the week and take yourself on a date. Go to that new coffee shop you’ve wanted to try and schedule a time to be alone. If you’re able, go without your phone. Spend the time with yourself, letting your thoughts and feelings flow over you without putting any pressure on yourself. Sometimes, just enjoying time alone can help you to connect with yourself! If you are looking for a unique cafe in Seoul, click HERE.
I hope this article has been helpful! Please let me know if you have tried using any of these five simple ways to add mindfulness to your daily routine! Personally, I will be starting January slowly and steadily with a gratitude journal. :)