20 Sep 10 Ways to Be Mindful
- Always breathe.
The best thing you can do for your mind and body is take a deep breath. Breathing in and out through your nose sends a signal of calm to your nervous system and activates its parasympathetic receptors. This allows the body to rest and replenish.
- Check your energy.
How are you showing up to your next meeting, phone call, or outing with friends or family? Do you need a quick mental reset before interacting? If so, this starts within. Do a quick self-study or check-in to ask yourself how and what you’re feeling.
- Food for thought.
Food fuels your mind and body. If you eat like crap, chances are you will feel like it too, and your brain will reflect that same garbage. Eat for YOU. Making smart food choices not only creates physical ease, but clears your mind of brain fog.
- Are you socially aware?
How does social media make you feel? Do you feel jealous, triggered, or frustrated by some things on your feed? It’s time for a change! Mute or unfollow accounts that don’t make you feel good. Follow more accounts that give you the warm n fuzzies. Stop. Scrolling. All. Day! Social is great, but endless scrolling is not.
- News Cycle.
As a former CNN producer, believe me, I know news. But the truth is, these days so much of what we consume is toxic to our mind. The television “tells-you-a-vision” which can stifle your own ability to co-create with the universe. Consuming the same cycles of news can have a daunting effect on your mental health. News, in moderation.
- Habits are contagious.
It takes 21 days to form a habit, good or bad. The things we choose to do or not do on a daily basis affects our ability to stay healthy mentally and physically. When ditching a bad habit, make sure you replace it with something positive and helpful first.Create small, healthy habits that lead to big change.
- Be kind.
Treat others how you want to be treated. Simple. The world is a reflection of you. If you spread kindness, the Universe will reward you. Be the change you wish to see in the world.
- Self-care is the best care.
Schedule it! Make it a priority. Do something different to allow yourself some luxury each month. In order to expand your mindfulness, you must come from a space of overflow in your own mind, body, and spirit.
- Rest up!
Let’s let go of this mind set that you must fill every minute, of every day, with “productivity.” Let it go! This mindset in itself is not productive. Honor your body. Allow time for intentional rest so you can be renewed and prepared to face the day ahead and crush your goals.
- Boundaries. Boundaries. Boundaries.
The word NO is a complete sentence. Remember that. You can learn to give either an enthusiastic yes, or an empowered no. There is no in between. Decide what you need from yourself and from others. Define your “hard stops.” Be clear and vocalize these boundaries.
These mindfulness tips will substantially change your preparedness when you meet challenges. You will be ready! Remember, prevention is better than the cure.
Challenge: Read through these again. Reflect on each one, and journal about how you are currently feeling about each one. How can you do better?