Typical weekdays involve busy mornings filled with answering emails, long afternoons dedicated to meetings and sometimes late nights committed to finishing work-related projects. Such a jam-packed schedule can leave little room for a workout, never mind attempts at mindfulness. However, the more chaotic the routine, the more important it becomes to take a moment and be mindful. Here’s why:
You become more aware of the present moment.
It encourages a pause from the hustle and bustle of life. When such a time-out is taken, the past and future are put at bay and a keen awareness of present sights, sounds, tastes, smells and feelings become the focus. Mindfulness teaches appreciation of all that encompasses the “here and now” and encourages release and relaxation.
Suddenly, you’re more grateful for things.
Once an awareness of present moment is grasped, appreciation and gratitude can be found in the smallest of things. This could be for the view of the ocean, the sound of birds, the taste of chocolate, the smell of an aromatic candle or the feeling of joy. Mindfulness unveils hidden bits of happiness that be found around every corner.
You can reflect on yourself and become better in both your personal and professional life.
When time is allowed for true presence or awareness, there is time for self-reflection. This kind of thought process leads to a more objective point of view and clearer thinking, but leaves room for personal growth and development. Accurate self-reflection can lead to improvement in both personal and professional lives.
You can reflect on negative thoughts in a healthy way!
The mind naturally wanders and it may find its way to the negative. It may begin to focus on unhappy, stressful or anxiety-provoking thoughts. Regardless of what enters the mind, mindfulness teaches acceptance of these thoughts without judgment. They are to be viewed as mere thoughts that can go as quickly as they came.
In order to allow room in life for mindfulness, take a few minutes each day to relax. This includes deep breathing or minute mediations in morning or before bed. During meals, savor each bite by chewing slowly and truly tasting the subtle flavors of the food. When you have a lunch break, go for a walk and enjoy the fresh air. Then unplug for the evening so a sense of peace can be restored and rejuvenated for the next day. Mindfulness takes practice, but the rewards are worth the patience!