With all the hustle and bustle of everyday life, it’s easy to forget to set aside time to care for yourself. It can be tough to balance work, family, relationships, and friends while staying true to your own needs. When so much of our time is spent taking care of others, it can be nearly impossible to remember that we need to take care of ourselves too.
A mindfulness practice allows you to develop a deeper connection with yourself. This increased awareness helps you get in touch with what’s going on in your mind and body, and it gives you the chance to make intentional choices about how you want to live your life.
Here are five ways you can kickstart your mindfulness practice:
1. Set aside time for practice every day – Even just 5 minutes can make a big difference, especially when you are just starting out. Meditating first thing in the morning is great because it helps you set your intention for the day and creates space around your day, from which you are less likely to fill with busy tasks or clutter.
2. Find a comfortable and quiet place – Try not to meditate in bed because there is too much distraction in that environment (TV, computer, people).
3. Start small-It can be overwhelming at first to try and meditate if you’ve never done it before. If you’re having trouble with this then begin by taking a few moments each day just to focus on your breathing.
4. Use apps or records-There are plenty of free apps out there (search ‘mindfulness’ in the app store) that offer guided meditations you can use if you have trouble thinking of what to do yourself.
5. Don’t force yourself into something that doesn’t feel right for you. There are many styles of meditation out there. Some are more active and energetic; others are quieter and more reflective. Some involve physical movements; others don’t. The method isn’t as important as what works for you. Whatever makes your mind peaceful is worth doing regularly.
