Top 5 Ways to Become More Mindful and Live Better

Mirror mirror on the wall, who’s the most mindful of them all? You probably think you know yourself pretty well – what you like and dislike, as well as your strengths and weaknesses. You know what you do for a living, know that you live in a PG in Neeladri Nagar, and know that you have a knack for cooking. But have you ever really thought about the underlying motivations behind your behaviors, why you like what you like, and how they’re affecting your life. Well, unless you’ve already been on some self-awareness quest, probably not. But becoming more mindful of who you are as a person can help you live better. 

That’s because mindfulness opens your mind to understanding yourself as someone who impacts others and is affected in turn by their actions. This leads to you developing a deeper understanding of your emotions and who you are as a person, helping you unlock a richer and more fulfilling life. And it’s not some closely guarded secret that can only be achieved after twenty-five years of meditation at the top of a hill. The practice of mindfulness is, well, a practice. You have to work at it every day. To get you started on the right path, we’ve got some strategies for you to begin your journey towards mindfulness and self-awareness. 

Identify your core values.

If you think of your personality the way you do your body, your values make up the skeleton. These are the essential parts of yourself that balance and carry your thoughts, feelings, and actions. That’s why it’s essential to be able to identify and articulate these core values for yourself. When you’re able to identify your values, you’ll be able to engage in actions that you find meaningful and enjoy, rather than spending your time involved in matters that don’t match your interests. But getting clarity on your core values can sometimes be easier said than done as it requires strong introspection. Reflect on the times in your life when you felt most empowered and happy. Those experiences would have reflected your core values and can help you understand what is essential to you. You could also try a personal values assessment from a reputed center for a professional analysis on why you do what you do.

Question

Mindfulness is all about pushing your understanding of yourself and others. That’s why questioning becomes very important. And we don’t just mean questioning others around you, but turning that interrogation inwards towards your opinions and beliefs. This self-analysis will help you understand your thoughts and the actions and biases that result from those thoughts. But don’t treat this as a way to put yourself down or prove yourself wrong, instead think of it to expand your understanding and give yourself a chance to grow.

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Get to know your triggers.

What most of us think about mindfulness is that it’s associated with only optimism and good vibes. But that’s not true. Natural mindfulness is about being aware of not just what makes you tick but what doesn’t. That’s why becoming familiar with what triggers your negative thoughts or emotions becomes a crucial exercise. When you’re able to recognize what makes you feel angry, upset, stressed, or sad, you can become more conscious of the people or situations you engage with. Understanding your triggers can also help you have a bit more control over your responses and emotions during difficult situations, as you’re better prepared to handle yourself. Knowing your triggers and the steps you can take to combat them can help you lead a more peaceful life.

Try new things

The first step towards living better is to break out of your comfort zone. And trying new things or exposing yourself to different experiences can also be an excellent way for you to learn how to react to unfamiliar situations. The best part is that it allows you to discover skills or qualities you may never have known about before. Unlike a comfort zone that keeps you working on auto-pilot, trying new things can be a way for you to expand your perspective and become more mindful of yourself in new ways. And we don’t mean you have to start throwing yourself into sky-diving or extreme sports. But talking to new people, trying a different recipe, or signing up for a hobby class can all be ways for you to expand your horizons.

Journaling

If you’re trying all the methods given above, you’re en route to mindfulness and a better life. So it’s essential to document your progress along the way. Journaling is an easy and inexpensive way to do just that. Not only can it be a space for you to reflect on your day-to-day life in your hostel near Forum mall, but it can also be a space for you to analyze your triggers and work through difficult emotions. If you’re someone who’s not great about talking about your feelings, writing them down can be an excellent way for you to process your own internal life. Best of all, there’s no fixed way for you to journal. You can try various methods such as guided journaling, a-line a-day, five-minute journaling, or even art journals based on your schedule and interests.

With these five easy techniques, you’ll be on your way towards living a more mindful and better life. Incorporating these methods can help you feel more peaceful and calm internally in these stressful and unpredictable times. So, try them out and let your journey towards a happy mind start now.