X Mindfulness Practices That Can Help You Stay Calm and Centered

If you are constantly caught up in the whirlwind of daily life, feeling overwhelmed and stressed, incorporating mindfulness practices into your routine can help you regain a sense of calm and inner peace. Mindfulness is the art of being fully present in the moment. You focus on the present moment without judging your thoughts or emotions. By cultivating mindful awareness, you can learn to navigate life’s challenges. 

Start by applying these mindfulness practices If you yearn to add calm to your life.

What is Mindfulness?

Mindfulness is a practice that involves bringing your attention to the present moment. It’s about fully understanding your thoughts, feelings, and bodily sensations. Being mindful also means withholding judgment or attachment to what is going on in your life. By cultivating mindfulness, you achieve greater clarity and focus.

Incorporating mindfulness into your daily routine doesn’t require extensive time commitments. Thankfully, even short moments of mindfulness throughout the day can make a difference. Whether taking a few deep breaths, engaging in mindful walking, or practicing focused meditation, finding what works for you is vital. 

Here are a few key aspects of mindfulness:

1. Present-Moment Awareness: Mindfulness encourages you to shift your focus from dwelling on the past or worrying about the future. Instead, you experience the present moment. This involves paying attention to what is happening right now. For example, you may observe your breath or become more aware of your surroundings. 

2. Non-Judgmental Attitude: One of the principles of mindfulness is accepting things without judgment. You no longer label experiences as good or bad or right or wrong. Instead, you adopt an attitude of curiosity and compassion towards yourself and others.

3. Cultivating Self-Awareness: Through regular practice, mindfulness helps you become more attuned to your thoughts and emotions. It allows you to observe them with a sense of detachment. This increased self-awareness can lead to better managing stressors in your life. You can also learn how to visualize the future in a positive light better. (Learn how to do this here.)

4. Developing Resilience: Mindfulness enhances your resilience and ability to cope with anxiety effectively. It provides a mental space for responding consciously rather than reacting impulsively.

Below are some examples of various mindfulness techniques to practice: 

1. Deep Belly Breathing

Deep belly breathing is an excellent way to practice mindfulness. To start, find a comfortable seated position or lie down. Close your eyes and bring your attention to your breath. Take a slow, deep inhale through your nose, allowing your belly to expand fully. Feel the breath filling up from the bottom of your lungs to your chest. Then, slowly exhale through your mouth, releasing tension or worry with each breath.

2. Box Breathing

Have you heard of box breathing? This form of breathing is another way to unwind. Imagine tracing the shape of a square with each breath as you practice this technique. Start by inhaling deeply for a count of four while visualizing one side of the square being drawn before you. Hold this breath at the top for another count of four. Do this while imagining drawing the second side of the square horizontally across. Slowly exhale for another count of four. During this time, visualize completing two sides of the square vertically downward. Finally, hold your breath again and empty your lungs for four counts.

3. Alternate Nostril Breathing 

Alternate nostril breathing is known for balancing energy in the body and promoting relaxation. Close your eyes and place your right thumb over your right nostril, inhaling deeply through your left nostril. At the top of the inhale, release your thumb from the right nostril. Use your ring finger to close off the left nostril as you exhale through the right side. Alternate between each nostril with each inhalation and exhalation.

4. 4-7-8 Technique

This technique is known for its calming effect on the body and mind. Begin by placing the tip of your tongue against the roof of your mouth behind your front teeth. Exhale entirely through your mouth, making a whooshing sound as you do so. Then close your mouth and silently inhale through your nose while mentally counting to four. Hold this breath for a count of seven. Then, exhale completely through your mouth for a count of eight.

5. Body Scan Meditation

Body scan meditation is a powerful mindfulness practice that helps you stay calm and centered. It involves systematically focusing your attention on different parts of your body. While practicing it, you become more aware of physical sensations. In the process, you learn to release tension. 

Practice body scan meditation regularly. Doing so will cultivate a deeper connection with your body. You’ll experience less stress and improve your overall well-being.

Conclusion

Try incorporating these mindfulness practices into your daily routine. They can profoundly reduce stress and promote overall well-being. 

Focus on staying present in the moment. Nurturing a compassionate attitude towards yourself builds self-esteem. And you’ll better handle life’s challenges gracefully and resiliently.