What is mindfulness?
The first step is to understand what’s meant by mindfulness: It’s about choosing to pay attention to the present moment in a curious and nonjudgmental way. Mindfulness calls on us to notice when our thoughts have drifted to the past or wandered into the future, and when we are regretting, fantasizing, or worrying rather than engaging with what is right in front of us. Each time we are able to step away from the pinball game in our mind and focus on the present, we give ourselves the best possible chance to make the best possible choice, whatever that may be. Although it might sound complicated, mindfulness can be as simple as remembering to pay attention to the present moment or simply taking the time to breathe. Here, we’ll discuss what mindfulness actually means, why it’s important, and a few simple tips for kick-starting your mindfulness journey. If you’re wondering how to be more mindful, this article is a great place to start.

Simple steps to add mindfulness to your daily life:

1. Check-in with yourself first thing in the morning
   The morning offers a great opportunity to practice your mindfulness. The day is just beginning, it is nice and quiet, and you may have a few moments to yourself. Instead of getting out of bed and rushing through a morning routine, Sit for a few minutes; think about what you are thankful for the day and in your life, and just allow yourself to be in the present.
2. Create rituals/ routines
   Waking more gently lets you take advantage of important theta-brainwave states and ramp up more gradually toward demanding tasks. Regularly adhering to a simple morning ritual also helps you build self-efficacy, develop mindfulness and equanimity, and prepare for a successful day. It lets you start the day on your own terms.
3. Release blocked negative energies and get a Chakra tune-up:
   Get your chakras balanced with Reiki. Reiki healing session helps you to declutter those blocks and get the energy flowing. When the energies flow freely, it helps your body to create harmony within and it releases imbalances created by negative influences. No Chakra works efficiently irrespective of the others, they are all part of the whole. Book your session today and reset your chakras for 2022!
4. Take “ Me-time” pauses throughout the day
   It’s hard to slow down and notice things in a busy world. Try to take the time to experience your environment with all of your senses — touch, sound, sight, smell, and taste. For example, when you eat a favorite food, take the time to smell, taste, and truly enjoy it. Try to intentionally bring an open, accepting, and discerning attention to everything you do. Find joy in simple pleasures.
5. Expand your Self Awareness
   
   Body sensations– Notice subtle body sensations such as an itch or tingling without judgment and let them pass. Notice each part of your body in succession from head to toe.
   Sensory – Notice sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and touches. Name them “sight,” “sound,” “smell,” “taste,” or “touch” without judgment and let them go.
   Emotions – Allow emotions to be present without judgment. Practice a steady and relaxed naming of emotions: “joy,” “anger,” “frustration.” Accept the presence of the emotions without judgment and let them go.
6. Honor Your Feelings
   In being mindful, you don’t want to avoid your feelings. Part of it is being in the present moment, just the way that it is. At some times, that might include feelings of joy, but you don’t want to try to force happy thoughts or resist any particular emotional response. Sometimes, you just need to accept unpleasant emotions as a part of the moment. Accept disappointment, sadness, anger, jealousy, etc. as what they are and allow yourself to feel them. You might just choose to sit on the couch and concentrate on controlled breathing, or can also take up meditation. I find that doing so helps me to start each day off with the right frame of mind.
7. Practice daily meditation
   Body scan meditation- Lie on your back with your legs extended and arms at your sides, palms facing up. Focus your attention slowly and deliberately on each part of your body, in order, from toe to head or head to toe. Be aware of any sensations, emotions, or thoughts associated with each part of your body.
8. Practice daily gratitude for the things/ people you have in your life
9. Focus on your breath
   When you have negative thoughts, try to sit down, take a deep breath and close your eyes. Focus on your breath as it moves in and out of your body. Sitting and breathing for even just a minute can help.

Mindfulness also involves acceptance, meaning that we pay attention to our thoughts and feelings without judging them—without believing, for instance, that there’s a “right” or “wrong” way to think or feel in a given moment. When we practice mindfulness, our thoughts tune into what we’re sensing in the present moment rather than rehashing the past or imagining the future.

For me, these are just a few of the habits that I have found to be beneficial for increasing mindfulness, but different things will work for different people. When you are more mindful and in the present, you will feel like you have gained a new sort of control over your life. It will help you to find overall happiness that isn’t so fleeting. Try a few of these methods out and see the difference that mindfulness can make.

Let’s start practicing from today and have a relaxing holiday!