What does it mean to be Mindful?
Being mindful means to pay attention to what you are doing as you are doing it. You do this through mindfulness practices.
This simple thing, paying attention, is more and more difficult for you in your daily life.
That’s because you keep getting interrupted.
Interruption is so much a part of your life that you don’t even notice.
Constant interruption changes the way your brain functions. There are many neurological studies that have proven this.
Your brain is capable of paying attention, but it has adapted to high levels of interruption. That means even when you aren’t interrupted by something else, you interrupt yourself.
This causes high levels of stress and overwhelm.
The primary source of interruption, stress, and overwhelm, is your cell phone. But you can’t imagine life without it.
So how do you counter the stress and anxiety that your phone causes and cultivate greater calm?
By attending to what you are doing while you are doing it through mindfulness exercises. That’s what being Mindful is.
It sounds simple, doesn’t it? But it feels like yet another thing to fit into an already crowded and much interrupted day. So how do you do it?
Ideally the best way to remind your brain how to be calm is to take Contemplative Practice Yoga® classes. Contemplative is another word for Mindful. When you do Contemplative Practice Yoga®, your mind becomes calm and steady.
If you don’t have time to come to classes this week, then try one these things.
Start with one. Your brain needs time to shift slowly for the neurological changes to be effective.
When you have practiced one of the tips for week, add another until you are practicing several of the tips throughout the day.
1. When you are walking, walk. Don’t walk and text at the same time. Pay attention to what you see, hear, smell, notice on your walk.
2. When you are driving, drive. Don’t text while driving. Even at a stop light. Pay attention to what you see, hear, notice as you drive. The majority of accidents are caused by people texting while driving. This simple mindfulness practice could save your life and keep you from harming others.
3. When you are eating, eat. Leave your phone in another room. Don’t bring it to the table. Pay attention to the food – its smells, sounds (yes sounds), and tastes. Give yourself to the conversation at the table if there are others present or eat in silence and attend to the unfolding experience of savoring a meal.
4. When you are talking to a friend, turn off your phone and pay attention to your conversation. Attention to what you have to say is something you want from your friends. Do this for them as you would like it done for you.
5. When your children want your attention, give it to them. Putting your children “on hold” while you text or check social media teaches them that they are not important.
6. When you are sleeping, sleep. Don’t take your phone to bed. Stop your screen time at least an hour before you plan to go to sleep.
Screens cause our brains to release adrenaline and cortisol into our bodies. Give your body time to clear these stress causing chemicals before you go to bed. There are few things more important than getting a good night’s sleep.
Which one of these tips will you try first?