Our lives are filled with stressors, including but not limited to work, school, family life, and finances. It’s easy to get overwhelmed and attempt to scramble to get through your seemingly endless daily to-do list. However, slowing down to “smell the roses” may be what you need to lower your stress levels and give you greater mental clarity. Here are a few tips of how you can be more mindful in the present.
We understand that you can’t just drop your to-do list. But by focusing less on how stressed you are, taking a break for your busy routine can actually make you more productive in the long run. Mindfulness means you focus your attention on the present moment, instead of the autopilot mode our brains love.
Be in the Present
Ask yourself, do you ever appreciate the moment that’s happening right in front of you? Whether it’s the beauty of mother nature, spending time with your family, or a sitting in a busy cafe. Meditation is another great practice to slow down your brain and live in the moment. Being mindful doesn’t need to occupy a lot of time. In fact, our body responds better to short bursts of mindfulness, even if it’s for a few minutes at a time.
Here is a simple exercise to focus your attention on the present:
- Stop what you’re doing
- Close your eyes
- Take a deep breath
- Open your eyes and take in your surroundings
- Notice everything that is going on around you (even if it’s peace and quiet)
- Focus inwardly on yourself (focus on your breathing and how your body feels)
Go for a Walk
A great way to take a break from daily stress is simply by going for a walk. Walking combines the benefits of physical exercise while clearing your mind for a short time. You can go it alone and have some “me time” or invite others for engaging social interactions. Lastly, you can choose a place to walk around where you can feel most comfortable. Enjoy the sights around you. Stop and listen to the tranquil sounds that fill the air.
Take Your Time
We’ve all been there. Hurry up and finish one task to get to the next one… and the next one… and the next. It never seems to end! In order to make sure you’re not constantly rushing, fill a planner with your daily, weekly, and monthly tasks. Websites like Asana make it very easy to manage your schedule, and create more time for what’s important.
You only have one life, so go out and live it!
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