Most of us have days where there’s only enough time to get dressed, go to work and try to fit in a bit of family time -who has the time to stop and smell the roses? Most importantly, where’s the time to take care of our mental well-being? It’s often difficult to check in with our own minds, to make sure if we’re okay – especially in a full-time working week if you’ve got kids or other commitments.
What is mindfulness?
You may have heard of something called ‘mindfulness,’ which seems to be one of the latest ‘buzz’ terms – but that’s not to say it’s any less trivial. Mindfulness is a technique to help us know exactly what is going on inside and outside ourselves, to help us focus on the ‘now’ and worry less about the past or future events. Nowadays, people are increasingly turning to mindfulness techniques to enhance their mental well-being during hectic schedules. However if you are trying to find some time to take care of your mental help we found that companies Evergreen and Thrive have got some great tips for daily mindfulness routines:
Four easy routines for mindfulness
Morning
Once awake, instead of jumping out of bed or reaching for your phone. Stop. Take a breath. Check in with your body. And, then proceed. This sets you up to be more calm and steady during the more challenging moments of the day.
Commuting
When travelling to and from work, it’s common for our minds to dwell on the upcoming prospects of the day or obsess over the day’s previous events – thinking about what could go wrong, or what could’ve been done better. But this isn’t always helpful. Practising mindfulness during the commute can help you feel more refreshed to tackle the day or evening ahead. For example, on the way home, it doesn’t pay to rush. See if you can relax, drive slower, and play some soothing music.
At work
Increase your productivity by focusing your energy on just one activity at a time, rather than flicking between many tasks. Micro-breaks are critical just to keep you from going into auto-pilot, which can lead to exhaustion and negativity. Also, practising short breathing meditations throughout the day is a great way to take a break. Check out some videos of chair yoga on YouTube to see how you can practise mindful movements without drawing too much attention to yourself in the office!
Before bed
We all know the importance of a good night’s sleep. But many of us can’t shut off properly in the evenings, leading to restlessness and anxiety. Basically, the key to the perfect shut-eye is all about winding down an hour before bedtime. Switch off phones, TVs and computer screens. Can you reflect on what was positive about the day? Take time to jot down your daily thoughts, things to be grateful for, a list of what you’re looking forward to, perhaps in a little journal.
For more information on how to live mindfully and lower your stress levels – check out these articles.
Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing
Article taken in part from www.evergreen-life.co.uk
Disclaimer
All content on this website is provided for general information only, and should not be treated as a substitute for the medical advice of your own doctor or any other health care professional. Always consult your own GP if you’re in any way concerned about your health.