Being mindful is something we should all practise, whether you suffer from anxiety of not. It is about being in the present moment and using cognitive thinking to help us deal with moments of difficulty and destress. Recently, I have been trying to incorporate a few techniques into my day-to-day life and I thought I would share some with you today.
Breathing Exercises
I never thought breathing would actually help but focusing on something so simple as the in breath and out breath is so effective. Often when we are stressed we cannot think logically and breathing helps to control the emotions and slow the heart rate down. It is all about focusing on staying in the present and hence reducing worry about things that might not even happen. I have found apps such as Headspace to be amazing and the voices are really soothing on them.
Be Reflective
I recently started writing in my Kikki.K Daily Thoughts Journal which is essentially a tool for appreciating the day and setting yourself goals for the next day to come. I have become to look forward to this time of day and now I have memories to look back on. I love the aesthetics of this pretty notebook and Kikki.K is a stationery brand I adore. They have loads of journals and gratitude books available. The one I have has different sections: “What Made Me Happy”, “What I Learnt”, “I Am Grateful For” and “Tomorrow I Am Going To”. I just love how it forces you to have a bit more gratitude and focus on the positive things.
Exercise
Whether it is taking a reflective walk to clear the head or going to a yoga class, exercise can release endorphins that help maintain our happy emotions. Sometimes even a silly dance around the living room can help (yes, I do this) or trying something different like rock climbing. I am not one to love exercise but I do appreciate getting outside and walking rather than getting in a car.
Colouring In
Adult colouring in books are so popular and there is no wonder why. When I am colouring in I get absorbed in it and don’t let my mind wander. It is such a lovely concept that we can get lost in something to distract and calm ourselves from the problem at hand. I would really recommend Millie Marotta’s Tropical Wonderland for beautifully illustrated pages. There are hours of mindfulness here at your fingertips!
I hope you have enjoyed these little tips. Do you find mindfulness helps you take a calmer and more rational approach to life?
