Five Simple Ways You Can Be More Mindful
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Tiny habits can make a huge impact.
1. Try mindfulness meditation.
Mindfulness meditation is a routine that involves focusing your attention on your breath and bodily sensations in the present moment. Consistent meditation — even for short durations daily — can help you cultivate awareness and clarity. It can also reduce stress and anxiety.
2. Engage in mindful activities.
Any endeavor that requires you to be present in the moment can be a mindful activity, such as mindful walking, cooking, gardening, or even washing dishes. When performed with the proper mindset, these activities can help you focus your attention and cultivate a sense of calm and peace.
3. Pay attention to your senses.
Engage your senses and focus on the details of your surroundings. Take time to observe the colors, smells, sounds, and textures within your environment. This simple habit can help you stay grounded and present in the moment.
4. Practice gratitude.
Gratitude involves cultivating an appreciation for the present moment and what you have in your life. Reflect on what you are grateful for, such as your health, relationships, or a beautiful sunset. Take this practice to the next level by maintaining a gratitude journal, where you can write about what you cherish most. Then you can review these thoughts later when you need a reminder to appreciate life.
5. Set intentions for the day.
Before you start your day, take a few moments to set intentions for how you want to show up in the world. This habit can help you remain focused and centered throughout the day and cultivate a sense of purpose and meaning. Bonus points if you take a moment to set the intentions for your day the night before. Thomas Edison once stated, “Never go to sleep without a request to your subconscious.” There is no better request than to imagine your intentions and allow your inner workings to map out the path to your goals.
Adrian S. Potter — the antisocial extrovert — is an author, engineer, consultant, and public speaker. When he’s not busy silently judging your beer selection or record collection, he writes poetry, short fiction, and articles on various subjects, including creativity, leadership, optimism, and personal growth. Adrian is the winner of the 2022 Lumiere Review Prose Award and the author of Field Guide to the Human Condition (CW Books) and Everything Wrong Feels Right (Portage Press). His next book, And the Monster Swallows You Whole, is forthcoming in May through Stillhouse Press. Visit Adrian at http://adrianspotter.com/. Say hi. He won’t bite.
