10 Tips on How to Live Mindfully

1 Mind Your Manners: In the fast-paced lifestyle so many of us seem to be living nowadays, it seems like more and more often we forget the simple words our parents taught us to live by: please and thank you. These are words that were first taught to us as children, yet seem to be lost in the dust of a busy day. So rather than focusing on rushing, say thank you to that person who just held the door. And the next time somebody takes your order at a restaurant, don’t forget to say please. These little words are filled with meaning and can make a huge impact on those around you.

2 Eat for Fuel: It’s important to remember that food is what fuels us. Of course it’s nice to snack on something tasty, but a great way to live more mindfully is by incorporating foods that are actually GOOD for the mind. Load up on foods like nuts and seeds, fresh fish, and antioxidant-rich berries to ensure your mind is working at it’s fullest potential.

3 Get Your Steps In: Exercise is crucial to leading a mentally and physically healthy life. Though the end of the day may feel like our one chance to unwind, you must remember that sitting at a desk all day is most likely the reason you’re feeling like you’re in a rut. So put on some comfy shoes, and take a walk (sans phones!) with your loved ones. This will give you a great opportunity to get in some exercise while spending quality time with those closest to you.

4 Shut Off the Screens: While the internet can be a wonderful place for many reasons, it can also be overstimulating and distracting, making you feel disconnected from yourself and your environment. We recommend picking a set time of the day to cut yourself off from the apps and sites, and to instead pick up a good book that will stimulate your mind in more creative ways.

5 Savor Your Sleep: We can promise you one thing—not getting enough sleep is one of the biggest culprits for feeling sluggish and disconnected with your body. The average adult needs between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night for optimal health. If you don’t hit those numbers, you put yourself at a much greater risk for physical and mental illness, not to mention the foggy feeling you will undoubtedly experience throughout the following day. So to keep yourself in tip top shape and as mindful as possible, it’s time to squeeze in the Z’s.

6 Think About Being Thankful: There are so many things that we can be thankful for in our individual lives, it’s just a matter of identifying them. Rather than focusing on only achieving huge goals and counting that as success, try keeping a gratitude journal dedicated to the little victories that gather up throughout the day. Had an especially yummy dinner? Write it down! Made the subway at the very last minute? Hey, we count that as something to be grateful for!

7 Organize Your Agenda: Keeping yourself organized in terms of your schedule is a great way to give yourself some mental clarity throughout the week. By having everything written down and planned out, you are helping to avoid any forgetful moments that happen to the best of us. Keeping a weekly schedule is sure to keep you on track.

8 Be a Conscious Consumer: Ever heard the phrase “put your money where your mouth is”? Well its about time we start living by that. To rid yourself of any consumer guilt or guilt over contributing to immoral or unethical business practices, do your research and spend your money on companies that do good for the world. This even includes something as small as buying a reusable water bottle so that you never have to contribute to plastic waste again!

9 Practice Patience: One of the hardest things for any human to master is patience. As simple as it sounds, it can actually be quite difficult to remind yourself to take a deep breath and remind yourself to calm down. We know, co-workers, friends, and even family can easily get on our nerves. And personal stresses can make all that tension build up, but that doesn’t mean that lashing out on others will make you feel any better in the end.

10 Get Creative: You would be shocked at the things your mind can dream up if you give it the chance! A great way to start living more mindfully is by picking up a creative hobby. Painting, knitting, ceramics, photography, filmmaking—all of these are great ways to let your mind express itself in ways that you have never let it before. So sign up for a class or buy some supplies to bring back home, you won’t regret it.