There is always a potential that you may lose concentration, have continual anxiety about specific things, unable to get better sleep, always be in a foul mood, and occasionally notice yourself having short patience. You can't finish your task or make any progress since you don't have the energy to pull yourself up. But what if there was a method to increase your energy and get your focus back, defend yourself from worry and sadness, have better sleep, boost your mood, and have more patience?

Mindfulness is what you need. The fantastic thing is that you don't have to be so technical to have it. Mindfulness has good benefits for everyone, but it requires effort and discipline. Mindfulness will change your life and help you manage your emotions.

Being mindful is being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and sensations each moment. You are allowing your thoughts, feelings, and sensations to come and go without interference or requirement to do something about it.

People may say that meditation can change your life, but little did they know mindfulness can also change your life, wherein meditation is a technique and mindfulness is a characteristic.  To fully understand the difference between the two— mindfulness is a Practice that you carry everywhere you go at any time, while meditation is an exercise you do.

Mindfulness is just being aware of the current moment and your surroundings without passing judgment. Mindfulness does not take a break from what you're doing at the time, making it an effective discipline to adopt at any time, even when on the run. Meditation, on the other hand, seeks to integrate the mind and the body to create mental and physical tranquility. Meditation does necessitate a break in your day, as it takes not just attention but also concentration.

8 MINDFULNESS PRACTICES TO CHANGE YOUR LIFE

LIVE IN THE MOMENT

We are constantly surrounded by distractions, which can cause stress and impact our everyday routine. One small inconvenience might affect your whole mood. Try to be open to whatever you do and pay attention since it will give you a fresh perspective and help you change your thinking. Try not to absorb any negative reactions from others to what you're doing. That is your life; it is your decision. They are not the ones who will encounter stress and difficulties in life, but you are. Live in the moment and make yourself at ease with the things that will provide you with more pleasant emotions and outcomes.

TAKE A MINDFUL WALK

You walk as you appreciate the things in your surroundings. Make yourself more aware of the beauty outside of your world. Walking is a mindfulness practice to help you become more aware of the sensations in your body. We usually spend more time on our devices and tend to ignore our surroundings and body sensations. Walking can help your mind take a break from worries.

TAKE A LONG SHOWER

Take a shower and enjoy every drop of water and soap that touches your skin. Is it relaxing? Nurturing? Calming? Remove any gadgets that might distract you from showering, but you can also offer yourself pleasant and peaceful music. It will make it easier for you to be aware and think. Imagine all thoughts and anxieties flowing in and out of your head like water down the drain as you breathe.

TREAT YOURSELF TO FOOD

Stress eating is a common thing in this stressful environment. However, in Mindfulness Practices, try to be mindful when you are eating. Eat slowly and savor every bite you will take. Remove all the distractions such as watching videos on your phone or television, do unnecessary things, and don’t rush yourself as if someone will consume all of your food. Take your time and breath every bite.

WATCH YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE

Mindful watching is a type of mindfulness practice that entails learning to focus peacefully on the present moment. You may improve your ability to sustain your attention for extended periods by learning to focus your attention on the intricacies of a picture or something in your surroundings.

MINDFUL BREATHING

A stressful situation can trigger your emotions and make you regret after. Sometimes when you are in a stressful situation, you want to walk away but can't; try mindful breathing. Breathe for 30 seconds and try to sink everything in. In that case, you will be aware and be able to think about your response or action in that particular situation.

ACCEPTANCE

It was hard to accept what you are, especially in a society where you are the center of everything. You can’t avoid this toxicity, as this is the reality. In this way, you need to learn to accept yourself and avoid forcing yourself to fit into the standard; instead, build your standard. Acceptance is an active process, and you can’t merely accept yourself instantly. It takes time, days, weeks, months, and even years, but it’s okay. Treat yourself how you will treat your good friend. Do things where it will give you happiness and validation, and slowly it will help you accept what you are.

FEEL YOUR HEART

Our emotions are another way the body communicates with us. It tells us that there is something wrong and something’s off. You can’t concentrate with a heavy heart. It leads to having overflowing negative thoughts that you can’t think straight about what’s wrong. Also, you will experience confusion about your emotions, from being calm and happy to being sad and anxious. Feel your heart, take a deep breath, and try to listen to your thoughts. You can list down the thoughts that are bugging you and try to assess if these thoughts are already in the past, present, or in the future, and that’s where you know how to handle them.

These days, as we all adjust to a new normal of being indoors, we find it harder to focus on what's going right in the world rather than what's going wrong. Being mindful can be the foundation of your well-being. Everyday life can easily change everything, such as your emotions, perspective, social energy, physical qualities, and more, but with these mindfulness practices, you can easily surpass the toxicity and the stress.

Keep in mind all the time that your mental health also matters, and so doing these practices will help lessen the burden, depression, and anxiety you are going through. Trying to practice being mindful will surely change your mindset and lifestyle. It will help you transform your preferences for your health and your habits. It is the new way to improve your whole health; physically, mentally, and emotionally. Furthermore, you will be more aware of yourself, and you will get to know how to manage your internal conflicts without having trouble evaluating it.