Do you ever find yourself driving with no recollection of how you arrived at your destination? Or going through the motions of listening – while not paying attention at all? Or watching TV, while checking Facebook on your phone? I’m guilty of all of the above.

Since 2020, our Mindfulness and Meditation and Mindfulness and Healing retreats continue to be our most sought after. The pace of our lives is increasingly hectic and new stresses await us around every corner. Now more than ever it's time to slow down the frantic pace, tap into the present moment and let go of the constant anxiety.

You are the sky. Everything else – it's just the weather.~Pema Chödrön

I admit, I have struggled with being mindful. Instead of taking time to pause and acknowledge the present moment I just keep thinking to myself, “I’m too busy! I don’t have time to be mindful.” I don’t want to miss a single thing – a beautiful sunset; the joy of moving my body in yoga; savoring my first cup of coffee; enjoying conversations, laughter, tears and hugs with friends and family.

Benefits of Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a superpower that allows us to heal, enjoy peace and experience true joy. I believe it is the key to contentment. The more busy we become the more we must try to be intentional about being mindful. That way we can enjoy all the benefits of mindfulness:

• Deepen close relationships.
• Discover connection to others.
• Through self reflection, find self love.
• Experience joy and gratitude.
• Discover gratitude in the small things.

Ways to Be Mindful Every Day

Mindfulness, like yoga and meditation, is a practice. Living mindfully in the present, without longing for the past or worrying about the future, allows us to find peace. Try incorporating one of the following mindfulness practices into your daily routine, and experiment to discover what works best for you:

• Get a good night’s sleep.
• Set an intention shortly after waking up, find a meditation practice that works for you or journal.
• Begin your day with deep breathing, stretching, gentle movement or practicing yoga (if you can breathe you can do yoga).
• Have a to do list to avoid mindlessly wandering from one task to another.
• Do one thing at a time - driving, eating, drinking, talking on the phone.
• Spend time in nature and be fully aware of sights and sounds around you.
• Have a conversation with a loved one - focus on listening and not multi-tasking
• Use your body as an anchor in the present moment - tune into the sensations of hunger, thirst, exhaustion, the need for movement or rest.
• Be present with your feelings: the good, the bad and the ugly‍
• Reduce screen time - Too much time on your device limits your time in the real world. Constant checking of social media has been directly linked to depression and anxiety.‍
• Eat mindfully - eliminate screen time during meals.

And remember, this moment, right now, is the only one we can be completely sure of. Live in it and you'll be sure to find joy.

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This blog is intended to provide helpful suggestions for self care and overall well-being. I am not a mental health professional. If you’re struggling I encourage you to seek the help of a professional. Find a Mental Health Professional | National Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: Dial 988