10 simple mindfulness tips to help you live more mindfully every day

Moments of healthy mindfulness can reduce stress in your mind and body, and help you to be more present.

To do anything mindfully is to deliberately focus your mind on the present moment, helping you to stay grounded and thoughtful.

Mindfulness allows us to appreciate the beauty of small moments and to stay present in a moment – despite external stressors.

And it doesn’t have to involve lengthy meditation sessions or complicated thought exercises. There are plenty of simple ways to be mindful in everyday activities.

If you’re looking to find more moments of calm, here are 10 practical tips to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine to improve your well-being.

1. Connect with nature

Take some time out of your day to go outside, whether it’s in your garden, local park, or path.

Notice the weather, feel the breeze around your hair, or the sunshine warming your face.

Look around and notice green spaces, plants and flowers.

Now is the time to stop and smell the roses! Listen to the birds chirping, and see if you can spot any other animals in the vicinity.

2. Cook with mindfulness

Cooking yourself a healthy vegan meal is the ultimate form of self-care, and the process involves being in the moment.

Focus your attention on choosing vibrant and colourful ingredients that stand out to you.

Use all of your senses to prepare the ingredients, enjoying the aromas and tasting the ingredients as you go.

Notice the sizzling sounds, and how the ingredients change as they cook. Does the aroma evoke any special memories for you?

The wonderful thing about cooking is trusting your intuition, and being in the moment as ingredients marry together to become a special meal, nourishing both your body and mind.

3. Blow bubbles

If you’re having a stressful day, or need a moment of fun, blow bubbles.

It’s hard to think about anything else when you’re dipping the wand into bubble solution (or washing up liquid!), as you take a deep breath and watch the bubble form.

Notice all the colours, the shapes, and where the bubbles fly to, and land.

Not only is this activity fun, but it means you have to take deep breaths to blow the bubbles, thereby helping you to feel calmer and more relaxed.

4. Make a list

Starting a gratitude journal can seem daunting, but it is actually a very simple and mindful task.

Write down three to five things you are grateful for. These things will be unique to each day, whether you choose to spend the time listing them in the morning or the evening.

Take a few minutes of your day to reflect on what you are grateful for, to help promote positivity and focus.

This list will grow before your eyes! If you’re having a hard day, take a few moments to read through the list and appreciate all the wonderful things in your life.

5. Take a mindfulness walk

Turn this every day, functional activity into a time of mindfulness.

Instead of walking out of the house and letting autopilot kick in, pay attention to how your foot feels as it moves through the air, then onto the ground, then notice how your arms swing at the side of your body, and how you shift from side to side.

If you feel yourself drifting into other thoughts and worries, focus again on how your body feels during this simple activity.

Perhaps you feel a little breathless after a walk, so take a moment to take a few deep, controlled breaths, and relax your shoulders.

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6. Mindfully enjoy puzzles

Puzzles are a fun activity whether you’re alone or with other people.

From jigsaws, to sudoku, crosswords, and even charades, it’s easy to get present in the moment while you figure out the answer.

Not only are puzzles a great way to practice mindfulness, but they can improve concentration and confidence and have been identified as a positive factor in improving cognitive abilities.

Enjoy the sense of accomplishment, too!

7. Eat and drink with mindfulness

Once you’ve cooked up a delicious meal, it’s time to eat it mindfully.

Many of us bring a plate to the sofa, switch on the TV, or catch up on emails, but eating and drinking mindfully is about enjoying your food in the moment without distraction.

Not only can this help you to enjoy and connect with your food, but it helps you to understand your body, such as when you’re full.

Set up a peaceful space for eating, without the TV or other electronic devices, and use all of your senses to enjoy the meal.

Notice the textures, sounds as you cut through, and how it makes you feel in the moment. Notice the temperature of your drink, how smooth it is, and really satisfy your thirst.

8. Just dance

You don’t have to be ‘good’ at dancing to enjoy all of the benefits of the fun exercise. So, find yourself a private space, and put on your favourite music.

Allow your body to move to the beat of the music, there’s no need to learn any specific routine.

Whether the music is fast or slow, move your body in a way that comes naturally.

Focus on how your body is moving, how the movements change, and how these changes feel.

Not only will dance help you to be present in the moment, but it is a great way of moving your body and releasing some happy hormones.

9. Get crafty and creative

If you’re someone who loves creating, it’s time to get out the craft supplies.

Whether you enjoy cross stitch, making model boats, crafting trinket boxes, or even colouring in a beautiful picture, getting creative is a great way to have a moment of mindfulness.

Allow yourself to problem-solve, concentrate, and develop new skills on your terms, and reap the benefits of relaxation and a sense of achievement.

You will also have created something unique to cherish, too!

10. Recharge your mind with quality sleep

Many of us have bedtime routines, including a warm bath, using essential oils, and reducing screen time.

These intentional acts are beneficial, especially when incorporated with a mindful approach to sleeping.

As you get into bed, notice the softness and temperature of the sheets, then feel your body relaxing into the bed, and notice how your breathing becomes deeper.

Acknowledge any worries that pop into your head, but don’t dwell on them, instead just sink deeper into relaxed breathing.

High-quality sleep is linked to better mood, improved memory, and reduced anxiety.

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Featured photo © Moyo Studio via Getty Images