20 Ways to Incorporate More Mindfulness into Your Days

One of the things I work with clients on, and which I practice myself, is mindfulness. For me, mindfulness is about staying in the present moment, no matter what else is going on at work or in our personal lives.

Being present and living in the now can be quite challenging, especially with all the distractions we have these days. I’ve found that one of the best ways to truly incorporate more mindfulness into your life is by taking small, easy actions that then add up to a more mindful day.

I find mindfulness to be so important, especially for leaders, because it’s all about staying centered, staying focused and being here in the now. It allows us to make decisions from a more relaxed and present state. And when we can carry this mindfulness through our days, we feel more grounded and peaceful in our lives.

Who doesn’t want that?

Today, I want to share with you 20 ways to incorporate more mindfulness into your days.

Choose one or two that really resonate with you and start there. Then, try some more.

With time, you’ll find yourself becoming more mindful and that will have a ripple effect on every area of your life.

Here are the 20 ways to incorporate more mindfulness into your days:

1. Deep Breathing. Take some deep breaths. Breathe in for 4, hold for 4, exhale for 8. Repeat this 3 times in one sitting.
2. Journal for 5 minutes everyday. The Five Minute Journal is a great place to start. Get your thoughts down on the page.
3. Make a gratitude list. What are you thankful for right now? Write it down.
4. Start meditating. Use an app like Insight to get you going.
5. Catch your thoughts. Notice when your mind has wandered away from the present. Bring it back.
6. Notice your body. Feel your feet on the ground. Stretch.
7. Listen with all your attention. When someone else is speaking, give them your full attention.
8. Do one task at a time. Avoid multitasking. Focus on the one thing in front of you, then move on to the next one.
9. Do something you love and let time fade away. Get lost in the flow while doing an activity you enjoy.
10. Eat mindfully. Chew your food slowly. Really taste it. Don’t do anything else while you eat. Simply enjoy your meal.
11. Go for a walk in nature. Be aware of your surroundings and soak them in. Let yourself breathe in the fresh air and enjoy it!
12. Watch your breathing. Just see how you’re breathing and try to deepen it.
13. Go on a trip. Getting out of your everyday environment forces you to take in new sounds, sights and smells, automatically bringing you into the present moment.
14. Switch up your routine. Do things in a new order. Take a different route to work or try a new coffee shop.
15. Observe your emotions. When a feeling comes up, just try to be the observer of it and let it pass.
16. Take a break from technology. Put down your phone for a night. Unplug for a weekend (or a week!)
17. Choose a mantra to help you to stay mindful. When you find your mind wandering off, pick a phrase you can repeat to yourself to bring yourself back to the present moment.  (My mantra is “All is well”)
18. Practice in the morning. As you drink your water, coffee, or tea, take a moment to be mindful and keep your attention focused on the present.
19. Be mindful while you wait. In traffic, in lines, at the doctor’s office. These are all opportunities to slow down and practice deep breathing and being in the now.
20. Pick your top three tasks for the day. Then, do each one with your full presence.

I hope these mindfulness tips are helpful for you!

What do you do to stay mindful?

Let me know in the comments below...