It’s more challenging than ever to simply be in the moment, what with the dizzying array of screens at our disposal and the seemingly infinite variety of possibilities virtually wherever we turn. In steps the mindfulness movement, which advocates for a more introspective and open approach to both your inner and outside worlds. The Buddhist practise of mindfulness has been scientifically shown to have numerous health advantages, including reduced stress and increased productivity. Read on for some of our best advice on how to lead a more fulfilling and mindful existence.

Practise Gratitude 

When we practise gratitude, we have to think about what’s going well in our lives right now. It softly brings the positive things to the foreground, allowing us to return to the present moment without dwelling on the past or the future. By focusing on the good, we make ourselves more open to making a better future.

Cook All Your Meals 

If you eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner, you have three great chances each day to practise living in the moment and being mindful. Most people just throw food in the microwave or get takeout, but this isn’t a good idea. It’s not easy to feed our bodies, though. When you work full-time and have a family to feed, it can be hard to cook healthy meals every day.

If you look into it, though, you can find out how to make many meals in less than thirty minutes. And if you really don’t want to cook, it takes less than 10 minutes to put together a salad. To live in a mindful way, you need to pay attention to what you eat. And that means you’ll have to make an effort to cook home-cooked meals often.

Daydream 

Can you remember the last time you just sat and let your thoughts wander? As kids, we’re often told to stop daydreaming and concentrate on what we are meant to be doing, but this is not necessarily a good habit to get into. That’s because daydreaming is a form of mindfulness. 

Let your mind go wherever it wants to, and you might just come up with some brilliant ideas. At the very least, you’ll be incredibly relaxed, and that’s no bad thing either. Some people find this very difficult, and it could be that you need a little help in the form of some weed. See if that makes a difference, and then light some gorgeous smoke odor candles when you’re done, and you’ll be mindful in no time. 

Practise Active Listening 

When other people are talking, we usually just sit there thinking of a comeback. We stop listening before the other person has even finished their thought. You should practise active listening the next time you have a discussion by paying attention to the other person. Tune in with your senses, your emotions, and your intuition.

Try out the skill of mindful listening and see whether it improves the quality of your conversations as well, as this is another benefit you might enjoy.