How to blend mindfulness into your day

Mindfulness is one of the best things you can do to boost your health and well-being, and its benefits include reduced stress, enhanced awareness, better sleep and a revitalised mind and body.

However many of us are put off from practising mindfulness as it is most commonly associated with breathing and calming exercises such as yoga and tai chi.

Described as a “nonjudgemental awareness of experiences in the present moment”, mindfulness is in fact something you can do every minute of the day.

Below is a guide to help you be more mindful from morning till night:

Stretch after waking

Doing some stretching and breathing exercises as soon as you get up in the morning will help prepare you for the day and focus your mind.

Listen to music

Listening to calming music will help you to relax and feel more at ease when stress rears its ugly head. Even your regular playlist will effectively lift your mood and provide relief.

Express gratitude 

Making gratitude a daily practice has been shown to improve feelings of connectedness and appreciation with life. One way to express gratitude is to write down three things you are grateful for whenever they spring to mind so you can look back on them when you are feeling down. 

Get outside for lunch

If you work inside all day, aim to go somewhere outside during your lunch break. Going for a walk or a run in the fresh air will give your mind and body a well deserved break and will make you feel more optimistic for the afternoon.

Take time to reflect on why you’re here 

During your commute or whenever you have a few minutes to spare, cast your mind to your recent achievements and how they fulfil your purpose and sense of self.

Get a good night’s sleep

An hour before bed make sure you put away your phone and technological devices so you can wind down and prepare for a good night’s sleep. Take a bath, indulge in some essential oils or read a book to help your mind and body relax.