Contrary to the opinion of many, mindfulness is more than sitting cross-legged on a mountain top, closing your eyes and listening to your breath whilst humming a sacred mantra to yourself. Yes, formal meditation is one way to achieve balance between your mind and body, however, you don’t need fancy clothes, spectacular scenery, half an hour or even ten minutes set aside to incorporate mindfulness in your day to day life.

Here are 4 mindsets that can help you live a mindful life, rather than practise it in isolation.

1. Letting Go: Letting go is about accepting and recognising when you are caught up in one way of thinking or a way of being. When you realise that some things are out of your control, for instance, the opinions or actions of others, you can observe it, and then let it go. Think about your breathing. You need to let go of each breath in order to make room for the following breath. Life is just like that, it is a process of receiving and releasing.

 

2. Gratitude: Being thankful for what you have is a powerful strategy for living a mindful life. It can be as simple as being thankful for the air you breathe or having access to clean water. Taking a few moments every day to stop and think about 2 or 3 things you are grateful for can help re-direct your attention when your mind wanders off on a new stream of thought.

 

3. A mindful heart approaches life and its many obstacles with compassion rather than judgement. It is important to show kindness to not only those around you but also yourself. It is the first step in developing deeper relationships.

 

4. Patience: It is sometimes necessary to accept that some things unfold in their own time and shouldn’t be rushed. When you notice thoughts of an impatient nature, such as “why aren’t I losing weight, I’ve been working out for weeks!” you should notice them, acknowledge them and focus on taking proactive steps to understand the situation, rather than clouding your mind with unhelpful opinions and judgement.

 

 

 

Article by Heidi Higgins

Heidi Higgins is a 26-year-old Melbournian with a passion for all things health and fitness. She is a primary school teacher, freelance writer and blogger who loves to keep active by practicing reformer pilates, taking boxing classes and going on long walks. Make sure you check out her blog, Heidi Joan, for inspiration to love a healthy, happy and whole life!

 

 

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