Mindfulness is a hot topic. We can accept that. But why is this hype?
We feel like losing control of our lives at times. That is pretty common.
Especially in this digital age of constant stimulations.
We often run on autopilot through our daily lives. As a result, we tend to react to everything that comes in our way rather than responding. The latter is a far better option.
We either live in anxiety about the future or worry about the past.
This way, we miss the present moment and that reaction becomes our past in the next second. We worry about this reaction in the next moment.
We tend to not appreciate the present moment and worry about those actions when it becomes the past.
This is where mindfulness comes into the picture. When you become mindful, you appreciate and savor the present moment. This is how we live fully rather than skipping through the day.
This was an ancient practice followed by yogis. This became widely popular because of its simplicity and effectiveness.
Think about this for a moment. Our lives have improved exponentially from the past. We live in a safe, connected world. But we are ever more anxious and worried. We can blame this on our human instincts. Our ancestors had to be alert all the time for threats. This was essential for survival.
Even though, we don’t face any attacks from wild animals anymore, our human instincts are still scanning for potential threats. In the modern world, which is highly complex, our evolution works against us. Our mental alarm systems are constantly overwhelmed with information, distractions, and threats. This makes mindfulness a rare practice in our daily lives. A Harvard study found that the human mind focuses on the present moment only 53% of the time.
We will see 2 simple techniques you can practice anywhere, anytime to become more mindful.
1. Mindful Breathing
You can do this in no time and bring back your awareness to the present moment.
Simply stop whatever you are doing and redirect your focus to your breath. Pay close attention to the process of breathing, how your body moves, and the air flows while you do it.
2. Body Scan
As the name suggests, just close your eyes and scan your body from head to toe. Pay close attention to any physical sensations while scanning through your body. The focus of your mind turns to your body from wandering, and you become self-aware in no time.
Don’t worry if your mind wanders while practicing these steps. It is part of the process.
Moreover, bringing back your mind from wandering helps in improving your self-awareness.
If you practice these two simple steps, you are on your way to becoming a highly self-aware person. This will help you to live fully and enjoy this journey called life.