mindful: (adj.) attentive, aware, or careful
In today's society, we are constantly running from place to place. Going from school to work to an activity, there is no time for anything but these scheduled events. We barely have a second to spare. Without the flexibility, we, as humans, are nearly incapable of balancing friends, family, work, and self. We are unaware of what is truly happening around us as we try to memorize the speech for class or as we prepare for that ever-so-important interview. Although doing well in school and the work place is important, it is also important to understand yourself and others through it all.
So here're a few simple tips on being mindful:
1. Understand that there is more to life than just what other people think of you. You're more than a test grade and more than a selfie—as is everyone else. Try to go an entire day without judging someone by how they look or putting a label on them because of the clothes that they wear or the people that they hang out with. If you wouldn't want someone to do that to you, please don't do it to them.
2. Look at the world around you. There's more to life than what you see on a screen. (Ironic because you're reading this on a screen, but hey, we have to start somewhere, right?) There's this thing called nature. I swear it isn't scary, and truly, it can take all your troubles away. Whether you just sit in the sun with some friends, go for a run, or just read on a bench, you'll be thankful for the time you spent outside.
3. Deep breathing. Find time in your day to become aware of your thoughts. There are apps for this (like Headspace) to help you if you feel uncertain on how to go about it. Spending just 10 minutes a day to meditate can truly make a day go from bad to good and could even bring new energy and life into your day. Just remember: breathe in, breathe out.
Being mindful will not only benefit you, it will also benefit others as well. Mindfulness can improve mental and physical health. For those who suffer from anxiety disorders or insomnia, these tips are for you. Realize that every second of your day does not need to be filled with a certain task to be done. Allow for flexibility and just go with the flow.
Give yourself time to breathe, reflect, and understand—there is still time to change.
