How Can I Find Time to Practice Mindfulness? 5 Tips!
Summer is finally here, and we can all now slow down and enjoy the beautiful weather- right? Well, as relaxing and fun as summer can be, many of us overload our social calendars in order to cram everything into those few short months before the kids go back to school. This can cause a lot of anxiety for many people. So, how do we allow ourselves to stay truly present and actually enjoy these moments? Practice mindfulness! Well, this is sometimes easier said than done. Mindfulness is often associated with a visual image of a person in a yoga pose by themselves counting deep breaths. For some of us, this task seems difficult, time-consuming, and awkward. Well, there are other ways to accomplish the art of staying present in the moment and feeling calm and grounded.
Here are five tips for practicing mindfulness without even realizing you are doing it this summer!
Take a seemingly boring moment and turn it into a teachable one! For example, while waiting at the traffic light on your way to the beach this summer, look at the light and think about being patient. Why is there a need to be in a rush? Enjoy those few minutes of waiting as a sort of break from driving. Feel the release of urgency and just “be!”
Time to yawn everyone! Did you know that yawning actually stretches the neck muscles and encourages a deep breath? So, go ahead fake a yawn, and allow yourself the opportunity to release tension while the kids are screaming in the pool!
Put the cell phone away, close your computer, and shut off the television! The news can wait- feel that sense of disconnect from the stimulation of the world around us. Be with yourself and the people who are visibly in front of you! Be present for a good laugh, take in the scenery around you, listen to your body, or bask in the simplicity of stillness.
Did you ever notice that simple movements involving touch are often calming? So, the next time you are at the park, move your hand over the grass, or when you are in the pool gently let your hand skim the top of the water. Sounds effortless, right? Well, it is, and it can bring you a sense of appreciation and Zen of your surroundings.
Time to hug! Did you ever wonder why hugging another person, animal, toy, or pillow brought you a sense of safety and calmness? The connection and light pressure act as a calming agent. It reminds us of the mind-body connection and how powerful it really is. So, stop for a hug and experience the moment while you feel your body release tension as it increases enjoyment of the here and now!
As you may have noticed, mindfulness does not need to be such a formal practice. Many of us often think that we do not have the time to sit and count deep breaths. Well, you do not necessarily need to! Mindfulness comes in many forms- so, yes it can be done. Just get creative and seize those precious summer moments!
Author: Vanessa LaBruzza, LAC