Making Mindful Moments in Your Daily Life
Mindfulness: “the quality or state of being conscious or aware of something” (Oxford Languages)
When thinking of mindfulness, meditation often closely follows. Mindfulness meditation is a great way to practice being an observer of the present moment, but are there other ways to be ‘mindful’ than meditating?
Yes! Mindfulness is a concept that can be applied broadly to our lives. Once you understand mindfulness and get into the habit of thinking mindfully, you may find yourself connecting to more daily moments than ever before.
We’d like to share some ideas on ways you can create rituals out of daily tasks and how you can take the mundane, rushed, or overlooked moments of your life and make them into meaningful experiences.
Benefits of mindfulness:
Improved well-being
Improved physical health
Improved mental health
Here are some thoughts & ideas on how to make mindful moments out of “regular” life experiences. Try just one or two of these tips and see how it goes! If it doesn’t work for you, try something else! Mindfulness should not be overwhelming, so start small with something that appeals to you.
Mindful Moments: Enjoying the Experience of Food
Mindfulness while cooking:
Making a meal with friends…
Start with a clean work area, read the recipe completely if you don’t know it well, and organize your ingredients and necessary dishes/tools.
Take your time and focus only on preparing your meal. By simply directing your attention to measuring the ingredients, chopping/slicing/preparing, etc. you will eliminate extra thoughts of to-do lists, stresses, and worries. Practice being in the moment and appreciate the opportunity to create something! Enjoy the process and try not to rush.
Be grateful! Thank yourself for the time you spent making your meal or snack. You did that!
(P.S. Making your own snacks & go-to items is a great way to create more health in your diet and maybe save some money. You'll also feel more connected to the food you're eating when you've made it yourself)
Mindfulness while eating:
If you can, sit down for your meal. Put away your phone, set down the magazine, and find a quiet space to enjoy your food. If you are replying to emails, watching the TV, or eating on the run, you will not be able to fully enjoy your food (p.s. you also may not realize you are full until its too late!). Do your best and maybe start with just one quiet, mindful meal a day if you know you will be busy or with family during the other meals.
When you’re ready to eat, take a moment to express gratitude for your meal or say a prayer or blessing.
Enjoying the aromas…
Ready to eat? Try not to rush through your meal. Take every bite slowly, maybe putting down your fork or utensil after each bite. Have you ever had delicious food that you regretted eating too quickly? Savor it! Even if it’s not your favorite meal, practice viewing your food as nourishment and appreciating what you have at that moment.
Meals are a great opportunity for sensory experiences, so explore your senses to connect to the present moment!
What do you see?
Is your meal colorful? What do you notice about your meal?
What do you smell?
Notice the aromas :)
What do you taste?
What flavors can you distinguish in your food? Salty, sweet, spicy, sour?
What can you feel?
What textures can you find? Crunchy, soft?
Notice the temperature of your food. Is your meal hot or cold?
We have to eat, so why not make it as special and enjoyable as possible? :) If you can’t find any other moment to yourself during the day, try to enjoy one meal or snack in a mindful way to clear thoughts, refocus, and savor the moment (pun intended).
Mindful Moments: Laundry as a Labor of Love
Our mala-making workshop was a great mindfulness practice!
Okay, is there anyone out there who enjoys laundry? (just kidding!) Laundry and other chores like washing the dishes can be a meditative experience and a great way to connect back to the moment if you give it a chance. It’s all about perspective!
The key to practicing mindfulness is to simply be aware of whatever you are doing at that moment. So, while folding your clothes, try being grateful for the clothing you have, notice the textures of the fabrics and the scents of your detergent, and practice giving your complete attention to the task at hand.
Washing dishes can also be therapeutic as it gives you something to focus on with a clear goal in sight! While you are washing, be grateful for the meals you have had and those you share them with (noticing a theme here…?)
A shift in perspective is often all it takes to transform tedious tasks into an opportunity to find gratitude and appreciation for life’s little moments. The more you practice mindfulness and gratitude, the easier it will be to enjoy each moment as it comes :)