Meditation and mindfulness are becoming increasingly mainstream these days, and it seems like the cure for practically anything is sitting down, closing your eyes, and trying to be at peace with your thoughts. We all know how important it is for us to slow down and be more present in our day-to-day lives, but it’s just so easy to forget about being mindful on a regular basis.
Sure, you might have days where you are really in-tune with your surroundings and thoughts, and you’re feeling more grateful and appreciative than usual for your own blessings (this is especially true in light of the recent tragedies in Paris, Baghdad, and Beirut), but it’s difficult to train yourself to be constantly aware of the current moment.
I think it’s safe to say that no one is ever going to be present 100% of the time, but there are a few ways you can sneak mindfulness into your everyday, hustlin’-and-bustlin’ life without having to meditate or talking to a Buddhist monk.
Before we get into the tips, let’s talk a little bit about mindfulness.
What is mindfulness? How do you be present?
mind·ful·ness
a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.
When I was first learning how to drive, my stepdad told me that his driving instructor made him say every little thing he was doing out loud, like ‘turning on my blinker to turn right‘ or ‘slowing down at the stop sign.’ While I don’t advise doing that regularly unless you want to drive the passenger in your car crazy, the point is to make you completely aware of your actions as you’re doing them.
Being in the present moment means you’re experiencing life as it’s happening, which includes paying attention to your thoughts and feelings, what other people are doing and saying, and what’s going on around you both obviously and maybe more subtly. You’re not worrying about what’s happening at work tomorrow or what’s on your to-do list.
Sometimes when I’m laying in bed and worrying about tomorrow, or next week, or next year for crying out loud, I start asking myself about my surroundings to bring me back to earth.
Where am I? Under the sheets, in my bedroom, in my apartment.
What do they feel like? Warm and cozy and perfect.
Are there any noises? The footsteps of the elephants who live above me.
Am I feeling anything in particular? A little restless and anxious about tomorrow.
It’s weird to start observing every detail around you because it just seems…obvious and uninteresting. But rarely do we take a moment to fully pay attention to the little things.
Why be mindful?
Being mindful helps you to slow down and quit rushing through your days; to actually pay attention to what others are saying when they’re talking instead of half listening; to stop waiting for the week to be over and dreaming about your next vacation (although sometimes that’s totally acceptable in my eyes). But I’d rather not spend my days waiting for them to be over, ya know?
It also helps you to stop dwelling on the past and wondering how things might have gone differently if you’d have done x, y, and z another way. By staying present, you can make the little moments more enjoyable and memorable, and you’re going to start appreciating life more.
7 Simple Ways To Be More Present
Now that we know what it means to be mindful and the benefits of being present, the tricky part is remembering to be present. And once you do remember, it’s not likely that you’ll be able to do it 24/7. The good news is there are a few simple things you do throughout the day to add a dose of mindfulness into your life.
Savor Your Morning Cup
In the morning with your cup of tea or coffee, try to take even a minute to appreciate the smell, the warmth, and the taste. I know I’m guilty of downing my coffee while checking emails and before I know it, I’m left with an empty cup and I didn’t get to savor any of it. Appreciate your morning cup without distractions or trying to multi-task so you can start your day slower and with a little more intention.
Eat Without Distractions
On that same note, something that can make a huge difference in your state of mind and also your relationship with food is to eat without distractions. It’s hard not to eat lunch without watching a YouTube video or scrolling through Facebook, so sometimes I leave my phone in another room while I take my lunch break and focus on what I’m eating instead.
After all, I don’t want to spend all that time making myself a meal just to wolf it down in 2 minutes and miss all of that deliciousness. P.S. Did you know you should let a square of dark chocolate melt on your tongue to really get all of the flavors out of it? Dark chocolate is the perfect food to help you get more mindful ;)
Use Essential Oils
During the work day, I love to add a few drops of essential oil to a diffuser to keep my desk area more enjoyable. Lavender essential oil is my go-to for staying relaxed, but an aromatherapy roll-on is also perfect for awakening your senses and reminding you to focus on what you’re trying to accomplish. Many of us try to get our projects and presentations done as soon as possible, but remember to enjoy the creative process, appreciate what you’re learning and ask how you could improve your work.
Related Post: 5 Ways To Relax & Unwind With Essential Oils
Take Regular Walks
Are you guys tired of me suggesting you go on walks yet? I swear it’s the cure for so many different woes. But in order to get the most out of this time, you have to leave the phone at home. Even though I love listening to music while walking, I often feel tempted to check my phone and then I basically spend the whole walk on my phone and I might as well not have gone on a walk in the first place. Go for a walk and listen to the birds chirping, look up at the airplanes and make up stories about the passengers’ lives, and let yourself be content with the way things are.
Appreciate Your Workouts
You know when you’re exercising and you can’t stop waiting for that moment for it to be over? Like, while you’re running you’re thinking, ‘WHY WHY WHY I hate this, only 2 more miles to go,’ but then when you’re done you’re all, ‘I LOVE RUNNING.’ The feeling afterward is SO much better than the process, right?
But I don’t want to spend 30 minutes hating what I’m doing, so try shifting your mindset to get a little more appreciative about the amazing things your body can do (even if it’s not all that flexible or agile, be proud of what you can do, sista). While working out, stay focused on the moves and exactly what your body is doing, even through the struggles.
And if you’re doing yoga, take advantage of that Savasana at the end. A workout that lets you lie down and practically take a nap when you’re done? That’s the absolute best way to be mindful. Don’t rush through that, okay?
Take A Bath
This probably isn’t something you’d want to do every day, but make it part of your #selfcaresunday and treat yourself to a bath. It’s basically one of the best ways to get away from everything and focus on the present moment – the warmth of the water, the quietness, the lack of distractions. And if you’re not a bath person, a shower is one of the most underappreciated times to be mindful. I mean, you get that time all to yourself to lather up, hash out all of your problems, pretend you’re Adele singing Hello…that is some precious time right there. Soak it all up (ha-ha, bath joke).
Reflect On Your Day
In the evening, our minds can become a pile of mush after spending the whole day rushing around and waiting for it to be over (if you’re not being mindful, eh?). To start being more present during your evenings, try one of these ways to relax after work that don’t involve Netflix and why not start a night routine that helps you wind down and stop thinking about the next day.
In order to settle down before bed, I usually light a candle and spend a few minutes writing in my One Line A Day Journal. This way, I can reflect on what happened during the day and it gives me time to think about what I’m grateful for. When you’re reflecting on your day, try not to think about what went wrong or what you need to do tomorrow. Give yourself the time to focus on what went well and anything that made you laugh, inspired an idea, or piqued your curiosity. Write those things down because those are often the parts of life that get forgotten first.
Enter the Giveaway! (CLOSED)
Because I want to help you be more mindful and because all of my blog readers are just freakin’ awesome, I’ve decided to give away some of my favorite products that encourage me to stay present throughout the day. There are tons of goodies here including:
- Pukka Herbs Love Tea
- Aura Cacia Lavender Essential Oil
- GreenAir Portable Essential Oil Diffuser
- Aura Cacia Chakra Balancing Aromatherapy Roll-On
- Aura Cacia Body, Mat, and Room Yoga Mist
- One Line A Day Journal
- Illume Balsam & Cedar Candle
- Herbivore Botanicals Dead Sea Bath Salts
To enter this giveaway, simply use the Rafflecopter widget below. The more options you fulfill, the more chances you have! Good luck!
Rules/Guidelines:
This giveaway begins November 16 2015, 12:00am EST and ends November 23, 2015, 12:00am EST. Open to residents of the US & Canada only.
Good luck on the giveaway! Leave a comment below telling us how you stay present and mindful!
Main Photo: Nicola Holtkamp
*This post contains affiliate links. If you click on a link or purchase an item from a link, I may receive a small commission (at no cost to you).
64 Responses
You’re the best! These are some beautiful gifts that you’re giving away and beautiful advice as always! xo
Thank you, darlin’!
This is an awesome giveaway and a great article! I try to stay present & mindful by taking breaks when I get rushed and slow down in order to enjoy the moment. I have never tried essential oils, but I have wanted to get started using them.
Thank you, Brittany! I remember you asked about essential oils on Twitter…maybe I need to get working on a post about them :)
I love your nighttime routine! You’ve reminded me how much I love to write in my journal (and how I need to do it more often.) I’m not a US/Canadian resident but GOOD LUCK to everyone – this giveaway looks amazing! (I’m jealous ?)
Yes, I’m definitely making journaling more of a priority in 2016! Haha well I’m jealous of you getting to travel the world right now, so there’s that…
Ha ha, I’m pretty grateful for that so I can’t complain ;)
This is a fabulous giveaway! Being mindful is so important. I try to stay present and mindful by taking small breaks throughout the day to take some deep breaths and center myself.
Small breaks are so important! We often get caught up in projects, or even just episodes of procrastination, and we forget to step away and refocus.
Thank you for this post and your extremely helpful tips! I was savouring my morning cup of tea while reading this and it filled me with extra warmth and fuzzies hehe. Thank you for this giveaway as well sweetheart, you are such a kindhearted soul! xxxxx
http://www.romantiquely.com
Yessss, good job savoring that cup of tea! Tea is too wonderful to be rushed ;p
What a cool giveaway! I bullet journal to help me stay mindful – I’m looking forward to trying out some of the other tips above.
I’m so intrigued by the bullet journal. Haven’t tried it myself, but everyone seems to love it!
Nice giveaway! I need to find a way to get more focus, and this is a great way to do this.
I hope these tips help you get more focus, Geraldine!
Took a relaxing bath last night actually! That and a nice yoga session (with adrienne of course) with a mug of camomile tea was a super great way to be a bit more mindful and present. Great post!
Of course, it HAS to be Adrienne! She is just the best haha. That sounds so relaxing, Nicole!
Catherine—your post had me laughing out loud!! Are you sure I’m not the one stomping around like an elephant in the apartment above you attempting to sign Adele in the shower?? Because it sounds a lot like me… ;) Amazing giveaway girl. I think you’d be proud to know that I’ve added mantra’s and journaling to my morning routine. Trying this whole being mindful + slowing down thing. <333
Hahaha omg our neighbors just love to be quiet all day until around 11pm when the stomping starts -__- And I am SO proud of you for doing that! I’ve never gotten into the whole mantras thing but journaling in the morning is basically bae.
What a great giveaway and of course I love this post! :) My husband has been working on a mindfulness project with stressed-out high school students, and it seems to be helping them quite a bit!
That is so cool, Daisy! I wish there had been something like that back when I was in high school. I would love to know more about how you’re implementing the project!
Even just the word “mindful” makes me swoon. I
definitely will have to incorporate more of these tips into my everyday life.
My best friend from high school comes home every single day and takes a 2 hour
bubble bath while watching her favorite shows from her laptop. While I don’t
see myself doing that regularly (#hustleprobs), it does inspire me to take more
time for resting.
Omg that is dedication! I feel like my skin would get way too pruney for my liking after 2 hours haha. But it’s so important to find a selfcare routine that works for you! Thanks, Kayla <3
Whenever I feel like I’m slipping into the stress of every day, I reach for my journal. It’s the best way to reflect and really listen to myself.
Same here, Stacy! Even when I think I have nothing to write about, usually the words come pouring out after a few minutes haha.
I love taking a daily walk,and also focusing on one task at a time.
Totally! Multi-tasking really takes away from being present and actually being able to focus.
I am in love with the concept of “I’m here.” It’s always great to have actionable items that we can do in our life to be more mindful. Your tips always inspire me and lead me to action! I can’t wait to journal and start a specific night routine!
Ahh, I’m glad you like that! We always seem to be off somewhere else in our minds, so it’s important to remember where you actually are. And I am SO glad you feel inspired to take action. I always try to make sure I’m giving actionable advice, so I’m thrilled that it’s working haha
I love love love that you included the daily walk. I HAVE to get up and walk at some point every day at work otherwise I go nuts. It really is the best way to calm down and re-focus. One thing I want to be better about is using essential oils. I’ll have to grab one of those roll-ons and give it a try!
Ughhh I know what you mean! I go crazy if I don’t get some fresh air during the day. And yeah, I highly recommend getting a roll-on! They make it super easy to calm down a little bit.
YES to baths. Baths are so important. I don’t know how I’d be getting through this semester without knowing that I can have a nice bubble bath when life just gets too stressful!
Love this post–being present is so important, even if it’s so hard! When I have a hard time being “in the moment” (well, when I REALIZE i’m having a hard time with it) I find that looking for 3 things to be grateful for helps bring me back from “what-if” land to reality ;)
Great post, Catherine! :)
Haha I feel like no one really takes baths anymore, but they are so wonderful! And that’s such a great tip about thinking of 3 things you’re grateful for. Really helps bring you back to earth!
Wow, great tips! Some of these I incorporate already, but one that nearly blew my mind was about appreciating exercise. I work out 6 days a week, but not because I like it. More because I’m terrified of gaining weight, which I already know is not the best mindset to have about it. I’m going to work on being grateful for the abilities of my body starting tomorrow morning. Thanks!
Kudos to you for working out 6 days a week! I hope shifting your mindset helps you break out of the fear a little bit! <3
Focusing on the movement of my body during exercise.
Such an important thing that we often forget! Thanks, Cathy
Meditation!!! And turning the radio off while I drive. And keeping a gratitude journal. This was a GREAT post! I particularly related to the part about appreciating your workout… I would like to work on not wishing it to be over (or wishing that I were better) and just being grateful for it.
YES to turning the radio off. I think we’re all trying to distract ourselves from the pain of our commutes or being stuck in traffic, but sometimes you just need to take that time to be more mindful.
So happy I’ve discovered your blog. Perfect timing with this post, it’s the extra push I’ve needed to start putting this to practice!
Aww, thanks Rachel! So glad to have you in the community! :D
Interesting! I think mindfulness is being emphasized a lot more now because people realize how impactful it is for many different stages and aspects of life. Music is a really good suggestion for relaxation! A lot of times I listen to music while doing something else, but there’s power in listening to it and ACTUALLY listening to it instead of multi-tasking xx
Old fashioned journaling beyond the online space is so relaxing :) So glad to have came across your inspiring blog!
It really is! Thanks so much, Shane!
Staying present in the moment is difficult for me, but ending the day through writing and reflection is my favorite! That One Line a Day journal seems like a great way to ensure that you set aside that special time. I guess I’m going to have to try out the mood lighting and aromatherapy!
http://www.anglesbyangela.com/
I haven’t skipped writing in my one line a journal for 2 years now! It’s the easiest way to remember the fun little memories :)
I try to take a lot of walks and escape to nature spots whenever I can :)
Ahh yes, me too! It’s always fun to explore somewhere new
LOVED IT! Oh wow! I read every single word (which is quite rare because I tend to skim read!) and I loved it. You address the issue so well and carefully and your tips are so helpful. I always eat with TV or YouTube and even though I really love doing that, your post as inspired me to consider stopping. Thanks so much!
xo Anisha | http://empoweredinternetwomen.blogspot.com.au/
Thank you!! I do find it really hard to eat mindfully, but I know I need time to step away from screens or else my eyes and brain will hate me haha
I needed this! :)
http://www.foregathers.com
Great post Catherine! Eating without distractions is one thing I’m trying to work on and not being super successful right now. Boo :( But I’m not giving up. There’s so much research on the benefits of mindfulness for the brain that I’m def going to keep working on developing the habit.
Thanks, Tega! It’s so much easier to eat without distractions when you’re with other people, but when you’re eating alone it becomes so much harder! Glad to hear you’re not giving up on that!
Oh, how I love this, Catherine! It is SUCH a useful tool to just know when to slow down, pay attention, and take a deep breath (which, BTW, I’m trying to do RIGHT NOW because of your post—Thank you!) One of the teachers I follow suggests that people wear a rubber band on their wrists so that when they get too caught up in their thinking they can literally snap it (ouch!) to remind them to “snap” out of it. I also try to just check in with my breath often—when the breath is faster and seems to be touching just my collarbones, I know I need to slow down. I aim for my breath to be slow, deep, and relaxed as much as possible–just like it is right before I’m about to drift off to sleep at night. Anyway, I just wanted to pop by and say hi and add to the discussion. I always find all of your post so helpful. Please keep doing what you do! xoxoxoxo
Thank you so much, Erica! Sometimes I notice that my shoulders are hunched up around my neck, and that’s when I KNOW I need to take a breath and slow down a little. The idea about the rubber band is interesting! Although painful hahaha.
HI I’M OBSESSED WITH YOU! “Are there any noises? The footsteps of the elephants who live above me.” SO FUNNY! Definitely taking these tips into consideration. I definitely need to focus on being more present <3
LOL oh hai, you just made me really happy! Those elephants are still at it by the way. Neighbors, right? Haha anyway I’m so glad you liked this post, dear Alyssa! xo
I love this. It was extremely helpful and I took down so many notes in my journal! Thank you for your insight! Namaste <3
I’m so glad you liked this post, Kristen! Good luck with the start of the school year :)
LOVE LOVE LOVE this post! As a medical student, soon going into psychiatry, I have heard so much of mindfulness in the past few years and being more mindful and present really does make a difference. I will try to implement some of these things because there has to be a healthier way to unwind at night than netflix haha.
life-lust.com
I am so glad to hear that this post was helpful for you, Natalie! I wish you the best of luck with your studies – that sounds intense! xo
You always have good things to say.
I just randomly search how to write good affirmations, but your writing makes me read more to other topics. So addicted to your blog now. Thank you so much for your positive words and idea ^_^