Do you sometimes feel frazzled, overworked and
underappreciated? Would you enjoy a little freedom from the stress of the daily
grind? Are you in dire need of improving your work-life balance? Implementing a
daily practice of mindfulness may be the key to living a happier, less
stressful, and more fulfilling life.
Mindfulness means being present and aware – without bias or
judgment. By living moment to moment (rather than mired in worry about looming
deadlines), we may experience lasting physical and psychological benefits,
including an increased sense of calm, less anxiety, more gratitude, and higher
levels of energy. Mindfulness can easily be incorporated into the following aspects
of your life.
Exercise.
Experience the miracle of moving. Start your day with a walk, a run or a yoga
class. Enjoy the natural high derived from exercise. Allow the endorphins
generated by your morning workout to jump start your day.
Commute. Take
advantage of your commute by focusing only on the present. Consider a traffic
jam as an opportunity to quiet your mind. Notice the glint of sun on the melting
snow, the budding trees, the scents of spring and a cardinal’s song. Rather
than replaying your to-do list in your mind, enjoy some pleasant music. If you
cannot quiet your mind, redirect your mind to thoughts of gratitude for your
many blessings.
Work. If your
stress level is on the rise due to non-stop phone calls, emails and client commitments,
pause and focus on the completion of a single item on your to-do list. By
focusing on one task at a time (and deferring your response to emails and phone
messages), you may actually experience greater efficiency and satisfaction in
your work. Ruminating over your “to do” list is counterproductive, as it
diverts attention away from the present task and wreaks havoc on concentration.
Meals. In this
epidemic of obesity, take time to be mindful while eating. Refrain from eating
in front of the television or eating at your desk. Savor the tastes, textures
and smells of your food. Be mindful of feelings of fullness.
Sleep. Wind down
your day with meditation. Be mindful of your breath, the quiet of your room,
and the comfort of your bed. Replace your haphazard thoughts with the simple
observance of an overhead fan or a gentle springtime breeze through your
window. Be thankful for a good night’s sleep.
Mindfulness allows us to live life fully – rather than on
autopilot. Hopefully, through mindfulness we can appreciate the beauty of
nature, experience greater satisfaction and productivity in our work, savor our
meals, sleep more soundly – and, ultimately, enjoy more peace and serenity in
our lives.
