Practical ways to fit in mindfulness

It can be hard to fit in a formal Mindfulness Meditation when life is so busy. There are many ways we can be mindful without taking time out. You can be mindful whatever you’re doing, even if it’s standing in a long queue at the checkout. Here are a few ideas of how you can be mindful in practical ways:​

Watch the Sunset
Watching the sun set over the sea is one of my favourite things to do on holiday. I enjoy watching the beautiful colours as they change in the sky, and feeling the last of the warmth from the sun upon my face. It can also be a reminder that the end of the day offers us a new end and a new beginning.

Walking Meditation
It’s wonderful to be outdoors and to notice the beginnings of spring coming: the tulips and daffodils and new buds and leaves forming. Watching everything change around us can help us get a sense that nothing stays the same. Plus being outside helps you to get a sense of how much space and freedom you have. Concentrate on all of the sensations of walking: feel your body move, feel the breeze or warmth from the sun on your face, listen to the sounds around you, notice the different colours you can see, revel in the springtime aromas around you.

Mindful Eating
Eating mindfully is simple, so if you haven’t tried it before, why not give it a go? Engage all of your senses whilst you eat, savouring the taste, the smell, noticing the shapes and colours. Eat slowly, concentrating all of your mind onto your food. I find that I appreciate and fully experience the flavours when I eat mindfully. Eating mindfully can be more satisfying and reduce overeating. You could even find a new recipe to try out, or try out new ingredients. We get stuck in the routine of eating the same thing, so it can be refreshing to try something different.