- Devanshi Sharma
Intern, July- August 2023
You're about to hit the bed when you suddenly realize that you didn't send out the urgent mail you were supposed to, bummer! These little incidents of forgetfulness only emphasize how detached we all are getting from the ongoing moment. Taking a break and appreciating the things around us is becoming a scarce practice for many. This is where the need for adapting mindfulness comes in.
Mindfulness is the practice of living in the present or being in the moment fully. Having an awareness of everything that is happening around you may sound like an easy task but more often than not gets the most overlooked. The rampant hustle culture has led to various complexities in all the spheres of life, people have almost forgotten to live in the moment amidst all the chaos. In our everyday life, we encounter various new situations as well as constant routines that we've been following for a long, all these factors sometimes lead us to be detached from the moment often worrying for the future or dwelling on the past.
Mindfulness is incorporated into everyday living and could benefit the individual in various ways such as -
Mindfulness can help in improving memory and concentration skills, also helping in feeling less distracted during work.
Mindfulness aims to achieve an alert state by focusing attention on the thoughts and sensations present around us, this helps in being more accepting and understanding of the present situations.
It can help by pulling us out of the negative downward spiral that can be caused due to daily stress, hassles, the habit of rumination, etc.
It can help us with a better understanding of our emotions and experiences.
It can help in building resilience and adopting better-coping strategies.
Mindfulness is one of the most effective forms of relaxation techniques which if incorporated into our routines could lead to various health benefits ranging from mental, physical, emotional, and so on.
Here are some ways through which you can practice mindfulness -
Meditating daily
A simple breathing exercise can go a long way, not only does it give us time to pause and take a break but also helps us connect with our inner and outer surroundings better. Meditating when you wake up even for 15 to 20 minutes can be beneficial for your health.
We can also try grounding exercises, like the 5-4-3-2-1 technique, which helps in connecting with the world around us better. This involves letting your attention rest on:
five things you see
four things you hear
three things you smell
two things you touch
one thing you taste
Mindful awareness of the body
"Check-in" with the sensations that can be felt in and around your physical body. Focus on various parts and how you feel. Especially the parts where you feel tensed or tightened, try to be calm throughout the process.
Mindful walking
While you walk around instead of worrying about either reaching your destination or things you've to do for the day, shift your focus towards the surroundings. Focus on the people, the transportation, trees, the sky, and almost anything that you encounter while outside.
Mindful eating
While you eat instead of hurrying to finish the food or being deeply involved in the show you're watching try to notice the taste, the smell, the texture, and how eating the food makes your body feel.
Being mindful of every task that you perform daily can lead to a fulfilling and rewarding life. We can learn how to be more mindful daily by practicing these exercises thereby allowing us to become more conscious of what we are doing in the moment.
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