Happiful January 2020

Bring mindfulness
to every day
Being present can reduce stress,
ease anxiety, and improve
self-awareness. Meditation
is a common way to practise
mindfulness, but it isn’t the
only way. Explore these easy
options for introducing mindful
moments to your daily routine
Writing | Kat Nicholls
SET AN INTENTION FOR THE DAY
So often we wake up to the
sound of our alarm, and jump
head-first into our to-do list for
the day. Try having a slower and
more mindful start to your day
by setting an intention when you
wake. Ask yourself what you want
to achieve, and what you want to
make space for.
Top tip: keep a journal by your bed
to note your intention, and try to do
it before picking up your phone and
scrolling.
MAKE A MINDFUL CUPPA
If you already start your day with
a cup of tea or coffee, why not
give it a mindful twist? Instead of
running through your day in your
head while making your brew,
pause and really pay attention to
what you’re doing.
Notice how it smells, the swirl
when you add your milk, feel the
warmth of the mug in your hands,
enjoy every delicious sip. Use this
as a chance to be in the moment
and allow thoughts and worries to
pass like clouds in the sky.
TAKE A DIFFERENT ROUTE
When we follow the same route,
it’s easy to get stuck on autopilot.
Think about the journeys you take
every day, such as your commute
to work or daily dog walk. How
often do you think about where
you’re going? Chances are it’s not
very often.
An easy way to become more
present is to change up your
routine and take a different route.
This will sharpen your senses,
as you focus on the novelty, and
which direction you need to go.
LOOK UP
Feeling overwhelmed? Something
simple you can do to calm down
and anchor yourself in the
moment is to head outside and
look up. Notice how the sky is
looking today – is it cloudy or
clear? Is it warm or cold? Can
you see any treetops or birds
overhead?
This simple act can often give
us a healthy dose of perspective,
as we’re reminded what an
incredible feat it is that earth
exists at all.
ACTIVELY LISTEN
We all do it: a friend or colleague
is telling us about their day and
we’re either thinking about
something else, or keeping one
eye on emails or our phone.
Next time you have a
conversation, try to be more
present. Put down any devices,
make eye contact, and actively
listen to what they’re saying.
Giving this kind of attention can
help to build more meaningful
connections.