7 Things You Can Do Now to be More Mindful

Summer is a little more than half over and if you’re like most people that means you’re mind is full of thoughts about getting the kids back to school. Shopping for new clothes for the fall year, books, activities, sports, lunches and homework!! It’s enough to make your want to crawl under the blankets and hide until after Labor Day. Even if you don’t have kids, the end of summer signals the beginning of fall and that means the holidays can’t be too far away. No matter how you look at it, the lazy days of summer won’t last forever.

Before you work yourself into a fit, practice these 7 tips to stay mindful and focused. That way, you keep the anxiety at bay and can accomplish all that needs to be done in these busy end of summer days.

There are several things we should all be doing, even if we’re not concerned about remaining mindful (though we should be concerned about it). These are good tips no matter what your ideas are about meditation and mindfulness. We should all be practicing these for a healthier life.

Drink Plenty of Water

Drinking water and staying hydrated gives you the energy you need to stay focused. Have you ever noticed that when you are thirsty, that’s all you think about? Free up that mental space by sipping on water all day long, it’s one thing less to think about and you’ll look and feel wonderful.

Be Grateful

Practicing gratitude is one of the best ways to remain mindful. When you are grateful for all that is around you, you can’t help but being in the now. It also opens you up to more things to be grateful for so practice it often.

Unplug

It’s difficult to stay in the moment when you’re worried about likes, followers or the latest drama happening on Snapchat. Forget about the Kardashians or the latest Youtube wonder and unplug for a while.

Take a Walk

Get outside and explore the neighborhood or better yet, hike a nearby park. Forget the ear buds and walk with your thoughts. Practice gratitude as you walk through nature and notice all that is going on around you.

Breathe

Take some time each day to breathe deeply. There are multiple apps available to help you breathe more efficiently and more effectively. Practice deep breathing each day, especially when you feel the anxiety creeping up.

Slow Down

It’s okay if you slow down. The world can seem as though it’s spinning too fast and it’s easy to get caught up in that, but you don’t have to. Slow down, smell the roses and enjoy all that has been bestowed upon you.

Journal

Writing in a journal is a great way to stay mindful. If journal writing is more than you can commit to, you can keep a gratitude jar and jot down one thing each day for which you are grateful. Learn more about gratitude jars here.