Embrace Mindfulness This Summer: Enhance Your Wellbeing
- Wise Psychic Counsellor
- Aug 5, 2024
- 4 min read
As we find ourselves in the midst of summer, it's the perfect time to slow down, disconnect from the hustle and bustle, and spend more time in nature. Mindfulness is an ideal companion for this season, helping you soak in the summer vibes and savour every moment. Not only does mindfulness increase your joy, memory, and peace, but it also decreases levels of stress, burnout, and even depression.
This summer, whether you're on holiday or not, try to incorporate mindfulness into your daily routine. You'll notice how slowing down improves your well-being and how you'll be able to enjoy more and worry less. Mindfulness is all about being present in the moment, being non-judgmental, and compassionate, and taking things slow. Don’t force yourself or worry too much about doing it right; remember, kindness is a key component of mindfulness: kindness to others, but start with yourself.
Easy Ways to Incorporate Mindfulness into Your Summer Days
1. Create a Summer Routine
One of the joys of summer is the opportunity to establish a new routine. Routines and rituals change with the seasons, depending on your inner weather.
Your summer routine might include spending time staring at the blue sky, sipping coffee in the morning, taking your time to prepare breakfast, and doing a meditation or reading a few pages. Or it might involve some morning stretches and a freshly made smoothie.
How to Create Your Routine: Ask yourself what you need in the morning, noon, and evening. How can you honour and nourish your mind, body, and soul throughout the day? When are you willing and able to make time for yourself? Write a list of activities you love or that help you wake up or fall asleep, and then slowly incorporate them into your day.
My Routine: My routine includes a morning meditation, followed by my skincare routine, a morning coffee, and a nourishing breakfast with fresh fruits. In the afternoon, I do a second meditation just before dinner to let go of the day and start fresh. In the evening, I do some gentle, relaxing stretches and fall asleep to a sleeping meditation. This routine nourishes me and feels good to honour myself three times a day.
2. Slow Down
I've said it before, and I'll say it again: slow down. Relax. Unclench your jaw, relax your eyebrows, and let your belly soften. You're okay.
Nature does not hurry, yet everything is accomplished. Notice the difference between hurrying through your day versus taking the time. I love to compare it to a hotel breakfast. Everyone loves a hotel breakfast because you take your time and prioritize enjoying the meal without multitasking. That’s practicing mindfulness, too.
How to Slow Down: Whether you're on vacation or not, try to slow down a little bit. Take a break, breathe deeply, do some stretches, or simply be present. You don't have to be doing something all the time. It's okay to just be.
The Benefits of Doing Nothing: Doing nothing has proven benefits for our health, especially our brain. It eliminates distractions and boosts creativity. That’s why you have brilliant ideas in the shower, during meditation, or right before bedtime when distractions fade away and your mind clears.
3. Journal
Journaling is like moving thoughts from your mind onto paper. It allows you to let go of things and gain clarity. Whenever I feel overwhelmed or unsure, I do a free-flow session (writing down everything that comes to mind) for about 15 minutes, and I feel much better.
The Benefits of Journaling: Journaling improves your mood, helps recognize patterns, sets goals, identifies negative thoughts, and increases positive self-talk. It brings you closer to yourself, providing clarity and awareness about what's on your mind.
What to Journal About: You can write about how your day was, list things you're grateful for, set intentions for the day/week/month, document trip highlights, or write a love letter to yourself. Reflecting on your gratitude increases your happiness hormones and helps you appreciate your experiences more.
4. Use Your Senses
To bring yourself back into the present moment, try this exercise:
Name 5 things you can see
Name 4 things you can feel
Name 3 things you can hear
Name 2 things you can smell
Name 1 thing you can taste
Your senses bring you right back into this moment, leading to inner peace. Using your senses during daily activities helps calm your mind by focusing solely on the present moment, leaving no space for future or past worries. Studies have shown that spending time in the present moment is linked to a calm, peaceful, and happy state.
How a Vacation Makes You Happier: Experiencing something new, like a vacation, boosts brain health. Being in a new environment fills your brain with new information, enhancing your mindfulness and overall well-being.
By integrating these simple mindfulness practices into your summer, you'll find yourself more relaxed, joyful, and connected to the present moment. Enjoy the season and all the peace it brings.
About Wise Psychic Counselling
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