How to Make Mindfulness a Positive Habit
The subject of mindfulness is a very common one in coaching sessions. It often comes up as an on-going self-care technique ;a way to get into a reflective mood or as a strategy to cope with feelings of anxiety and overwhelm. When I enquire about mindfulness practice, I often receive push back from clients that they have tried but can’t do it. That their brains are just too busy or that they can’t find the time. Does this sound familiar?
There is so much information online about meditation and mindfulness that it is easy to get overwhelmed. It is also very easy to fall foul of perfectionism and think that if you aren’t “doing it properly” then it doesn’t count. In my opinion, if you can make space for good quality structured meditation then wonderful – do it. I love my gong meditation and sound bath sessions that I attend every couple of months, but they are not my staple source of positive mindfulness. I have to make it much more accessible to make it a regular part of my self-care.
I also know how much more successful it is if we take action before we feel we have to. If we wait until we are feeling very anxious or stressed, then it is harder to feel the benefits of positive mindfulness. In this instance you may find something like box-breathing helpful or any other breathing technique where you breathe out for longer than you breathe in. These techniques will physically slow your system down and tell your body you are not under threat. When you are feeling under threat it is very difficult to calm your thoughts.
My preferred definition of mindfulness is simple. It is about being in the present. Not worrying about the past, not worrying about the future, just being in the present with what is here now. It is about being rooted to facts, not listening to fears or our inner critics, not worrying about “what-if”. The short and long-term health benefits of positive mindfulness are well-documented and there have now been plenty of studies proving the impact. However, the most important fact is how it makes you feel. If you aren’t already practicing it regularly, why not give it a try?
The 7 Practical Tips for Making Mindfulness a Positive Habit:
I once worked with a client who had a very powerful inner critic but wasn’t aware of the scale of the impact it had on them. I asked them to try something and got them to look out of their home office window and tell me what they could see. They told me they could see their neighbours’ house – I asked them to describe it. They instantly told me how it was bigger than theirs, about the car that was on their drive and how they were doing better than my client was.
Their inner critic was completely in control of what they were thinking. I then encouraged them to focus on just what was there. What colour were the bricks? Were there any birds on the roof? I asked them to count the bricks around the window… you get the idea. Immediately they felt calmer and actually laughed at how they had reacted initially and in subsequent sessions, told me they never looked at the house negatively again. This is the difference mindfulness makes.
Do you want to continue your journey on making positive habits for yourself? Have a look at my blog below on how to be kind to yourself.
https://mebestlife.co.uk/how-to-be-kind-to-yourself/
Life can be challenging enough without making it harder for ourselves. If you aren’t using mindfulness yet to help you navigate life, then I encourage you to give it a go. Try using the suggestions above to find methods that work for you. If you want any support to do this, then you can contact me here for a free initial call to see how coaching can help.
Coaching can help you develop mindfulness as a positive habit
If you would like any help learning how to make mindfulness a positive habit, then please contact me for a free initial chat via the link below.