Be Where Your Feet Are: How to Practice Mindfulness
I recently heard the quote “Be where your feet are” by Scott O’Neill and thought it was worth exploring further. Being present / practicing mindfulness is so important to me - I’ve found it’s made a hugely positive impact on my life. From making me a better friend, to a better communicator, to truly enjoying my life more.
Have you ever noticed yourself:
Working on an unrelated project while in a meeting?
Texting or on your phone while out to dinner?
Thinking about your to-do list during a workout?
Coming up with what you are going to say while someone else is talking?
Thinking or obsessing about the past?
Thinking about or worrying about the future? Potentially making up hypothetical scenarios?!
IT’S OK! Let’s be honest, we’ve al done it! BUT that doesn’t mean we should continue doing it!
The goal is to “be where your feet are” which means… to be PRESENT!
To be present is to:
Become more aware of your thoughts.
Direct your brain instead of letting it direct you.
Give your full attention to each moment.
Experience life more fully!
If your mind is always in the past or future, how are you experiencing your life?!
Benefits of being present:
Improved communication
Reduced stress and anxiety
Increased productivity
Reduced chance of making mistakes
Increased creativity
Honoring those around you
Increased sense of peace
Retaining more information
Improved overall well-being
Become HAPPIER!
Helllooo who doesn’t want those things! Ready to learn how?
How to Practice Mindfulness
There are a few ways you can become more present, or practice mindfulness, and remember it’s a skill anyone can learn!
Direct your mind (your thoughts) to your body…
Listen to your heartbeat. You can even place your hand over your heart or on your pulse. Do this for a minute or for as long as you need.
Consciously breath by taking slow, deep breaths in and out. You can use belly breathing or 4-count breathing (inhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, exhale for 4 seconds, hold for 4 seconds, inhale for 4, etc.) or one of the many other kinds of breathing exercises. Simply focusing on your breath is a great way to practice mindfulness and bring you back to the moment when your thoughts are racing.
Feel your body - literally! Rub your hands on your arms, give yourself a little scalp massage, stretch, bend your legs, do a few air squats. Notice all your muscles moving and the sensations you have while in motion.
You can also direct your attention to your mind. Instead of being the thinker, become the observer….
Begin to notice your thoughts and actions, imagine you are the narrator of your life! You can say to yourself, “I am thinking ______ right now.” or “I am doing ______ right now.” Then direct your mind to the task at hand. “Now I’m going to focus on ______ for 20 minutes.”
Other helpful practices include:
Turning off unnecessary notifications on your phone and computer.
Turning your phone face-down when you’re not using it.
Close unnecessary tabs or windows on your browser.
Set reminders or calendar events for yourself to do tasks you might forget.
Practice active listening.
Limit distractions - whether it’s the TV in the background, incoming emails, social media, sports news, unimportant tasks, friends or family chats, etc.
Use a timer for solo tasks.
Remember
Be patient with yourself as you’re developing new skills. AND know that the more you practice, the easier it gets!
Bonus: When you’re more present, you’ll be calmer & kinder to yourself and others. Being in a rush usually causes agitation, but if we slow down and accept our current position, we won’t get as frustrated.
Why is mindfulness important to you?
What are your favorite mindfulness hacks?
If you enjoyed this article and want to learn more about mindset and mental health, check out my Masterclass, packed with actionable tools & techniques you can start using immediately!
