Three ways to be more mindful today!

This July, I worked remotely from Puducherry (Pondi), India. From yoga and meditation at the tranquil Aurobindo Ashram, streets stooped in rich history and colonial architecture and peaceful walks on the enchanting beaches, Pondi is the epitome of mindfulness and spirituality.

There is a plethora of research on the benefits of mindfulness, such as helping us to make better decisions, to manage our emotions and to be more fully engaged in life. Albert Einstein said, “a happy man is too satisfied with the present to dwell too much on the future.”

Yet, teaching our mind how to focus and be present can be challenging and even scary.

Here are three practices that I learnt from the locals in Pondi on my quest to embed mindfulness into everyday life:

1. Voice your intention

Very often the initial thoughts that enter our minds when we wake up are of impatience or of unimportant tasks in the grand scheme of life.

Try to break this routine that is influenced by a fast phased world and take a moment to check in with yourself.

Ask yourself:

• What are my core values?
• What matters most to me?
• What kind of a person do I want to be in difficult situations?
• What thoughts or beliefs am I holding onto that no longer serve me?

This is an opportunity for you to ground yourself and remind yourself of how to show up as your authentic self, daily.

2.Treat Mealtimes as Invaluable

Have you ever struggled to remember what you had to eat for dinner last night or whether you even had lunch that day? These are signs that you are not being mindful.

It can be so tempting to gobble something down quickly ahead of a meeting, or pop on a movie but resisting the urge to multitask during meals has far more long-term benefits for your health.

Mindful eating consists of being fully present and paying attention to your five senses during ever bite. With practice it is easier than it sounds!

3. Mindful Pauses

Taking a few moments during the day to consciously re-centre your self will help you tap into your source of resilience more easily. The great news is that there are numerous ways to do this, and this is an opportunity to explore different options and discover what is most enjoyable for you.

Listed below are a few examples to help you get started. Remember, no matter what the activity is, it is crucial to be present, patient, non-judgmental, compassionate, and curious.

• Mindful cleaning
• Mindful walking
• Mindful breathing
• Mindful listening
• Mindful interactions

Delve a Little Deeper!

Engaging in positive wellbeing and emotional health is not always about being happy but it is linked to your ability to understand and influence your reactions to things. In short it is about having more good days than bad.

The Delve Wellbeing Coaching Programme is your time out to reflect and check in on yourself, learn more about the tools available to you to support your well-being and learn how to have effective wellbeing conversations to support your colleagues.

Contact us to know more.