Mindfulness is the art of awareness. It’s all about becoming aware of where you are and what’s going on around you, without getting involved or overwhelmed. Put yourself in the role of an observer - this alone can do wonders for your mental health.

So, take a moment to stop and smell the flowers. Observe how you are feeling, give your thoughts some time to surface in your mind, and look at what’s going on around you. Having this awareness and, importantly, observing without judgement, can help you enjoy life and understand yourself better.

In this short article, we’ll cover five ways that you can practise mindfulness today.

P.S. if our leggings are the perfect clothing for improving your physical health, our loungewear is just right for spending a moment on your mental health (and feeling cosy while you do). 

 

5 Ways to Practise Mindfulness

Start here! Whether you regularly practise mindfulness or are just starting to learn about the topic, follow these five ways to sneak a little peace and calm into every day.

1. Spend 10 Minutes Every Day

If you can’t seem to remember to practise mindfulness when life gets going, then setting aside 10 minutes everyday for mindfulness can be a good way to start.

Whether you are walking to the gym, sorting laundry, or just eating your lunch, take a moment to observe how you feel and the sensations (touch, smell, sound) of whatever activity is on the agenda.

Make an effort to notice what’s going on internally and externally for 10 minutes, then get on with the rest of your day. This is a good way to get in touch with your thoughts and feelings, notice what you enjoy and what you don’t.

2. Focus on Normal Activities

A good way to provoke mindfulness is to focus on doing something mundane. For example, if you like to throw your AirPods on and let your thoughts drift as you run, try running without them. This could be an opportunity to be mindful of the sounds around you and the sensations in your body.

Attaching mindfulness to a task that you work through every day is also a good way to make sure that mindfulness is a habit that sticks.

You might find a whole new appreciation for the menial tasks and chores that you normally push through every day. Studies show that practising mindfulness in small ways can make a big difference in reducing levels of stress, anxiety and depression.

3. Make Small Changes

If focusing on your daily tasks is proving to be difficult, one easy way to create more mindfulness is to make small changes. If you usually have a sweet post-workout snack, try switching it for a savoury snack from our list of Post-Workout Snacks for Beginners.

Sit in a different seat to have your lunch. Walk a different route to the gym. Order something seasonal from the coffee shop. Little ways to shake up your daily routine can help you break the cycle of ‘overthinking’ and getting too absorbed in your own thoughts.

Getting out of your comfort zone at the gym counts!

4. Embrace Your Thoughts

While meditation can be a powerful tool for mindfulness, you don’t have to focus on ‘clearing your mind’ to reap the benefits. In fact, mindfulness isn’t about trying to remove, change or add thoughts, but simply acknowledge and accept those that crop up.

So, if you find that your mind is racing when you try to practise your 10 minutes of mindfulness, don’t fight it. Try to acknowledge your thoughts and return to focusing on what you can observe inside and out.

Try yoga, walking, hiking or any other gentle cardio activity if you find that moving your body helps to focus your mind and better facilitate mindfulness.

5. Look Past Thoughts and Feelings

You might find that you are now acknowledging thoughts and feelings that you were ignoring for a reason. Anxieties, stress and other negative emotions may surface when you take a moment to pause and observe - you are definitely not alone here!

Instead of getting whisked away in these emotions, try to acknowledge them and let them pass. Easier said than done, right?

Another way to help these feelings pass is to mindfully observe their limits. An anxiety over a situation is often based on something going wrong. But what if everything goes right? Furthermore, observing what you are stressed or worried about also gives you clarity of mind - once you have pinpointed where these thoughts and feelings are coming from, you can put a plan in place to mitigate them.

This is how mindfulness can be a fantastic tool to better yourself, whether it’s about work, social events, mental wellbeing, or fitness goals.

 

How do you like to stay mindful every day? We would love to hear your thoughts about taking care of both your physical and mental wellbeing - find us on social media to share, either on Instagram or TikTok. You can find updates on the latest Lazuli Label athleisure collections posted regularly!