How to Incorporate Mindfulness into Your Daily Routine
In today’s fast-paced world, most of us are constantly juggling multiple tasks and responsibilities, which can leave us feeling stressed and overwhelmed. This is where mindfulness comes in — a simple practice that can help us stay grounded and focused in the present moment. Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine can have a positive impact on your mental and physical well-being, reducing stress and anxiety levels, and increasing productivity and overall happiness.
In this blog post, we will explore the benefits of mindfulness, different techniques to practise mindfulness, and how to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine using online apps like Calm, a popular meditation and relaxation app in Australia. So, let’s get started and learn how to bring mindfulness into our daily lives.
What is Mindfulness?
Mindfulness is the practice of being present and fully engaged in the current moment, without judgement. It’s about paying attention to your thoughts, feelings, and surroundings, without getting lost in them or reacting to them.
While mindfulness is often associated with meditation and Eastern spiritual practices, it’s important to note that it is not a religious practice. Mindfulness can be practised by anyone, regardless of their religious or cultural background.
In fact, mindfulness has been extensively studied and proven to have numerous benefits for mental and physical health, including reducing stress and anxiety, improving sleep, and increasing overall well-being.
By incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine, you can learn to be more present, reduce stress, and improve your overall quality of life. The Calm app is a great way to get started, offering a wide range of resources and tools to help you develop your mindfulness practice.
Why You Should Consider Online Apps For Mindfulness
In today’s digital age, there are various online apps available to help you practise mindfulness. These apps offer guided meditations, relaxing music, and other features that can make it easier to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine.
Using online apps like Calm can have many benefits, such as:
- Convenience: you can practise mindfulness anytime, anywhere, using your phone or tablet
- Variety: online apps offer a wide range of guided meditations, so you can choose the one that suits your needs
- Motivation: using an app can help you stay motivated and consistent in your mindfulness practice
- Community: some apps offer a community feature where you can connect with other users and share your mindfulness journey
Calm is a popular mindfulness app in Australia that offers evidence-based practices and is scientifically researched. The app has a user-friendly interface and is available on both iOS and Android devices. With Calm, you can start with short meditation sessions and gradually increase your practice over time. The app also offers different themes, such as stress reduction, gratitude, and self-care, allowing you to tailor your practice to your specific needs.
Using an app like Calm can make it easier to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine and reap the many benefits it offers.
How to Incorporate Mindfulness into Your Daily Routine with Calm
Now that you understand the benefits of mindfulness and why you should consider using online apps like Calm, let’s explore how you can incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine.
1. Start your day with mindfulness
One of the best ways to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine is to start your day with a short meditation session using Calm. You can choose from various themes, such as “Daily Calm,” “Mindfulness at Work,” or “Gratitude,” to set the tone for your day.
2. Take mindful breaks
Throughout the day, take mindful breaks to help you stay focused and reduce stress. You can use Calm’s “Breathe” feature to take a few deep breaths and ground yourself in the present moment. You can also take a short walk or stretch to help you reset and recharge.
3. Practise mindful eating
Mindful eating is a great way to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine and improve your relationship with food. Before eating, take a moment to appreciate the smell, texture, and taste of your food. You can also use Calm’s “Mindful Eating” feature to guide you through a meditation session while eating.
4. End your day with mindfulness
Just like starting your day with mindfulness, ending your day with a short meditation session can help you unwind and prepare for a restful sleep. Calm offers various sleep stories and meditations to help you relax and drift off into a peaceful sleep.
By incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine with Calm, you can reduce stress, improve focus and productivity, and increase your overall sense of well-being. Remember, mindfulness is a practice, so don’t get discouraged if you find it challenging at first. With consistency and patience, you can make mindfulness a natural part of your daily routine.
Tips for Making Mindfulness a Habit
Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine can have numerous benefits, but it can be challenging to make it a habit. Here are some tips to help you make mindfulness a part of your daily life:
1. Start small
If you’re new to mindfulness, start with short meditation sessions of just a few minutes. Over time, you can gradually increase the length of your practice.
2. Be consistent
Consistency is key when it comes to making mindfulness a habit. Try to practise mindfulness at the same time each day, so it becomes a natural part of your routine.
3. Be patient
Mindfulness is a practice, and it takes time and patience to develop. Don’t get discouraged if you find it difficult at first. Keep practising, and you’ll start to see the benefits.
4. Use reminders
Set reminders on your phone or computer to practise mindfulness. This can help you stay accountable and remember to practise, even on busy days.
5. Practice with a friend or group
Practising mindfulness with a friend or group can be motivating and fun. You can share your experiences and support each other in your mindfulness journey.
Like any new habit, incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine can be challenging at first, but with consistent practice and patience, you’ll get there. Using an online app like Calm can make it easier. Just remember to start small, be consistent, and use those reminders to help you stay on track.
Other Ways to Practise Mindfulness
While using an online app like Calm is a great way to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine, there are other ways to practise mindfulness as well. Here are some additional ways to practise mindfulness:
1. Mindful breathing
You don’t need an app or any special equipment to practise mindfulness. Mindful breathing is a simple and effective way to practise mindfulness anywhere, anytime. Take a few deep breaths, focusing on the sensation of the air entering and leaving your body. This can help you stay present and reduce stress.
2. Mindful walking
Walking can be a great way to clear your mind and practice mindfulness. As you walk, focus on the sensation of your feet touching the ground, the movement of your body, and the sights and sounds around you. This can help you stay present and reduce anxiety.
3. Mindful body scan
A body scan is a mindfulness technique that involves paying attention to different parts of your body, starting from your toes and working your way up to your head. This can help you become more aware of your body and reduce stress and tension.
4. Mindful journaling
Journaling can be a great way to reflect on your thoughts and emotions and practice mindfulness. Set aside some time each day to write down your thoughts and feelings without judgement. This can help you become more self-aware and reduce stress.
Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine doesn’t have to be limited to online apps like Calm. There are many different ways to practise mindfulness, from mindful breathing and walking to body scans and journaling. Find the techniques that work best for you and make mindfulness a natural part of your daily routine.
Conclusion
Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine can have numerous benefits for your physical and mental health. With so many ways to practise mindfulness — from mindful breathing and walking to body scans and journaling — it’s important to find the techniques that work best for you and then practise them consistently.
Like any new habit, creating a routine that sticks will take time and patience to develop. But with consistency and patience, you can make mindfulness a natural part of your daily routine and reap the many benefits it offers. Start small, be consistent, and explore the different ways you can practise mindfulness to transform your life for the better.
If you’re interested in incorporating more mindfulness into life, learn more about our holistic mental health and wellness programs at Body & Mind which also include complimentary premium access to the Calm app.