Easing into a mindful new beginning
Mindfulness is the concept of living in the present moment, conscious of ourselves as well as the world around us.
It’s the act of simply being with observation and no judgement.
It may seem a simple notion, but the benefits are anything but simple. Living mindfully can result in greater physical wellbeing, mental health, and even happiness.
Its capability to still the mind can lead to better lifestyle choices as well as new perspectives.
So how can one live mindfully in a new beginning?
Through techniques that work for you, being present for life can be easy and enjoyable.
Meditating
Mindfulness is a form of meditation. Awareness of space, time, thoughts, feelings, and sensations can all lead to a meditative state of calmness and clarity.
Include meditation in daily life with:
- deep, belly breathing in a quiet place
- guided online meditations such as with a meditation app
- listening to meditative music
- walking
- forest bathing
- yoga
Let the act of meditation be a tool for living mindfully.
Prioritizing
Although an easily accessible way of living, mindfulness deserves (and many times, requires) precedence.
Daily life can get in the way of this thoughtful practice, and when it does, we can effortlessly devolve to poor choices and stressful times.
Prioritize mindful living by:
- slowing down; lessening obligations and expectations
- reducing multi-tasking
- finding awareness in your senses (such as with a warm cup of tea or the feel of the sun on your skin)
- listening attentively without distraction or thoughts of what you will say next
- dedicating set days and times for meditation, yoga, walking, etc.
- creating a gratitude journal
- slowly chewing your meals
Discover how small changes can make a big difference in mindful living.
Having a purpose
Rather than doing something just for the sake of doing something, having a purpose for your why can increase motivation and create value – which may lead to better health and overall happiness.
And it’s not just food for thought; it’s an actual concept.
Ikigai, the Japanese term for defining your why and applying it to your life, can bring meaning to the goals you set and the choices you make. This reason for living includes four components: your passions, your skills, your profession, and your life mission created from four elements: what you love to do, what you are good at, what the world needs, and what you can be compensated for. It’s designed to help create a life worth living.
Mindfulness is a thoughtful practice that can be performed by anyone at any time. Its simplicity is only outweighed by its benefits and the start of a new beginning can be just the motivator to incorporate more of it into your life.