Breaking Routine and Mindfulness

Have you ever driven your car somewhere and arrived at your destination only to realize you remember nothing about your ride? 

Or started eating a bag of snacks and then suddenly noticed all you had left in your hands was an empty bag? Most of us have! 

Studies show that 50% of our day we slip into autopilot and we aren’t conscious of what’s going on. 

We have become so routine with our daily tasks and responsibilities that our mind wanders and before we know it, the day is done, and we’re getting ready to go to bed and start it all again tomorrow. 

That is why we are dedicating the whole month of March to being mindful!

What is Mindfulness?

So, what does being mindful actually mean? 

Well, mindfulness simply means that the mind is fully attending to what’s happening, to what you’re doing, to the space you’re moving through. It means waking up out of autopilot and ‘taking the steering wheel’ of our attention again. 

There are 2 common forms of Mindfulness. 

The first form is mediation.  

Meditation is commonly done sitting, usually with eyes closed, but can also be done lying down or even walking. Some meditation practices also involve mantra (sound) or movement. Mediation has a reputation for siting in a quiet room and humming noises to yourself. This isn’t true. Meditation begins and ends in the body. It involves taking the time to pay attention to where we are and what’s going on, and that starts with being aware of our body. Meditation and Mindfulness is now being taught in schools, in workplaces, in hospitals and in homes all over the world. 

The second form is living your life! 

Anything we do in daily life with full awareness can be said to be mindfulness practice. It’s all about being in the present moment. In this hyper connected world we live in, it’s difficult to focus on what’s going on in front of us. We are getting dragged in so many directions that we aren’t mindful of what’s taking place.

Some Mindfulness Benefits 

Mindfulness can reduce stress, anxiety and other destructive emotions.
Mindfulness can reduce depression.
Mindfulness can reduce insomnia, increase your sense of well-being, reduces lethargy and increase energy both mentally and physically.
Mindfulness is also very effective for pain management.
Mindfulness sharpens your memory and increases your focus and attention.
Mindfulness can improve your emotional and social intelligence and develop your empathy and compassion. It is also shown to improve relationships.
Mindfulness can improve health and boost immunity.
Mindfulness can create clearer, more focused thinking and improve efficiency at work and at home. 

How to be Mindful this March 

Each day on our Facebook and Instagram accounts we will be posting one thing to do that day to help you break your routine and focus on the present. It could be anything from making a co-worker’s day, to connecting with nature, or anything in between. Be sure to follow and visit every day for your #MindfulMarchTips.  

Hit that Facebook logo below to share with your friends and help us tell as many people as possible to be Mindful!