Overview: Counsellor Maureen provides some tips on introducing mindfulness into everyday life. Learn more about how mindfulness practices can enhance your academic performance by signing up to the Mindfulness for Academic Success program. Reading time ~ 4 minutes.
10 tips for a Mindful May
Using slogans can be a good way of remembering things. Mindful May has a lovely ring to it, and can be a good reminder to add in some mindfulness practices to our day during the month.
Mindfulness is about being in the present moment – with curiosity and awareness. It is an intention we have to step away from the busyness of the mind. Often we think we don’t have time for a mindfulness practice, especially at this time of year when there are many assignments due.
Mindfulness, however does not need a lot of time, and is often about dropping into the present moment by using the senses – noticing sights, sounds, smells, touch and taste. Often we don’t need to add a different activity – we can just make everyday things more mindful.
Here are my ten top tips to bring more mindfulness into your daily life –
- Notice the feel of your feet on the ground when you first get out of bed.
- Eat breakfast mindfully.
- Notice which way you put on your shoes – left or right first. Take them off in the opposite order at the end of the day.
- Mindfully brush your teeth. Notice the smell and taste of the toothpaste and the feel of the brush in your mouth.
- Take a few moments to notice tension in your body during the day, and deliberately relax your shoulders, neck or jaw.
- Take three breaths in the afternoon where you follow the flow of the breath in and out of the body. If three is to many, take one.
- Notice the autumn colours as you walk to your car or bus. What are the different shades of orange and yellow you can find?
- Take a mindful shower, absorb yourself in the flow of the water with all the senses.
- Use an app for a guided mindfulness experience, Insight timer has many free meditations.
- Notice the smells of the garbage when you empty a bin – remember we need to be mindful of unpleasant as well as pleasant experiences!
There are many on campus opportunities to practice mindfulness – check out Midday Meditation at Oasis and also Mindful Yoga.
If you would like to learn Mindfulness in a group setting – for free – enrol in the Mindfulness for Academic Success Program which starts in Semester 2.
Wednesdays 9am-10am
July 27, August 3, 10, 17 and 24.
Contact me at Maureen.germein@flinders.edu.au for a registration form and further info.
Wishing you many mindful moments in May
Maureen