How to Weave The Benefits Of Mindfulness Into Your Day

For many years, I have lived on autopilot; the second my feet hit the floor in the morning, I went immediately into robot mode, whether it was nursing a baby, preparing breakfast, or dropping off kids at school. I moved with the sole intention of completing the to-do list. And while completing one task, I would simultaneously orchestrate plans to meet the unending mental list of more to-dos. I was constantly living in that feeling where I was what I did. I would completely lose my train of thought, engage in multiple conversations at once, and forget if I had locked the door of my house. I once left home with the keys still in the door knob. All of this was disguised as an effort to be worthy, to BE ENOUGH, to do the MOST for my family, work, and community. 

I refused to believe that I was too busy, that the price I was paying for lack of presence and inner ease was just because of my circumstances.  You have a house full of kids, a family to raise, and a home to keep, it was just impossible to find ease and peace. 

I discovered mindfulness by chance. My Dad gave me the book, How to Train a Wild Elephant; as soon as I read the subtitle, I knew it was what my soul had been searching for: Simple Daily Practices for Living Life More Fully and Joyfully. The idea that I could find more joy and fullness in my days by practicing mindfulness seemed like something I could add to my to-do list. 

I diligently kicked off the New Year inspired to implement the practices just as the author Jan Chozen Bays describes in her introduction. She recommended you take one method each week and integrate them into your daily life. The first couple of weeks went quite well. I added “mindfulness practices” to my daily to-do list. But by week four, I lost the drive and missed the point. I had again adopted the old idea of doing, and I was integrating mindfulness in a way that was not bringing me joy and fullness but yet another thing to cross off my list. 

The book began to collect dust, and like many things that are not done with full intention, I lost the motivation and drive to continue. I rediscovered the books many months after reading a journal entry reflecting on one of the exercises. Realizing that I was still spinning on the hamster wheel, I decided that I needed to bring mindfulness into my everyday life. I was reminded of a quote from Buddha, “Drop by drop is the water pot filled. Likewise, the wise man, gathering it, little by little, fills himself with good.” I realized I could stop struggling and start right from where I was. I permitted myself to start one drop at a time. Taking one small step at a time, I began to walk the path of mindfulness, not as something I had to do but as something I could become.

What is Mindfulness? 

Jan Chozen Bays defines mindfulness as “ awareness without criticism or judgment.” I love this definition. Who wouldn’t want to live out the moments of their days without criticism or judgment? 

Mindfulness is much more than meditation. I used to think I would love to practice mindfulness but I was too busy. I still had this image in my mind of sitting in a quiet room mindfully meditating. I have quickly realized that mindfulness can encompass so much more than seated meditation, it is also a way of being, created by incorporating simple habits  into our everyday life. To awaken our senses to open ourselves to a life where we feel and experience more joy and presence.

The Benefits of Mindfulness

As I begin to explore mindfulness, I am discovering the many benefits of mindfulness. There is lots of research that I won’t touch on here but I believe that just by being mindful in the small moments throughout your day you will begin to feel some of the many benefits.

Mindfulness benefits your physical and mental health. 

Mindfulness conserves energy.

Mindfulness trains and strengthens the mind.

Mindfulness invites gratitude.

How to Practice Mindfulness 

Not sure where or how to start? I have slowly begun incorporating several daily practices and challenged myself to some of Jan’s suggestions in her book. I have adopted her practices of leaving no trace, and try to leave spaces of my home untouched throughout the day.

I particularly liked challenging myself to do tasks throughout the day with my non-dominant hand. Try brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand; trust me, you will immediately become aware of how well or not so well your brushing is. 

There are many great books, playlists and apps to start your meditation and mindfulness habit. I have tried Headspace, and our family enjoys SmilingMind, a non-profit web-based app with many resources for the whole family.  Our new bedtime ritual also includes listening to the podcast, Be Calm on Ahway Island. I also recommend checking out the book, How to Train A Wild Elephant: Simple Daily Practices for Living Life More Fully and Joyfully.

As I have learned, the critical thing to note here is not to force these practices but to allow them to be woven into your days. I am finding space and capacity to be more present, even if it is to consciously note the warmth on my hands when I pick up my coffee cup each morning or invite myself to take five deep breaths before answering the phone. The point is to grow in awareness. 

Since incorporating these habits, I have become even more interested in how my mindfulness can improve my presence and understanding as a wife, parent, and friend. I recently started reading Raising Good Humans by Hunter Clarke-Fields, and I keep Jan Chozen’s book by my bedside table whenever I want to invite myself to try a new mindful practice. I am excited to explore mindful parenting further and incorporate more mindfulness into daily routines for myself and my children. 

I hope this invites you to discover the possibilities mindfulness can bring to your life. As you start to live with more intention and presence, you can allow the infinite possibilities of your life to unfold before you.