My brain is constantly on the go at all times, I find it so hard to focus on one task and struggle with connecting because of that.
Connecting during conversations, while listening to music or a podcast, during meals, connecting mind to muscle, making these connections take mindfulness which I definitely need to work on.
Call it ADHD I don’t know I’m not a doctor, but I know there are certain aspects I need to change and small steps I need to take to create those connections and be more open and mindful.
I am sure a lot of people feel this way so knowing how to create new habits and dial in on the details can be so beneficial for your everyday life.
For starters, I would love to remember more of the fine details throughout the day that I discover during my interactions but I typically forget because I am not as focused as I should be.
Now along with some sort of attention deficit disorder you are probably thinking I have short term memory loss too but I promise I am not crazy,
I just need to CONNECT.
Passing conversations are the worst especially during a workday when you are interacting with lots of people, it is easy to have those quick “hi how are you” conversations and responses because they are not meaningful, they’re just polite.
That may be blunt but it is true, how many people a day are you intentionally having a conversation with where you learn new information and engage in the details?
For me, that probably happens once or twice with a customer during 8 hours of my work day, and then a few hours later when I am home and someone asks me how my day was.
Not very many which means the deeper conversations that are being had need to be mindful, even if it’s not noticeable right then,
it is crucial for mental health to have intentional interactions.
I also personally find it offensive when I can tell the other person I am speaking with is not engaged or really paying attention to what I am saying, head nods and one worded answers usually make it obvious.
Knowing the way that makes me feel on the receiving end gives me even more of a reason to ensure I don’t make anyone feel that way either.
Some days I want to talk your ear off, other days I can’t be bothered to have a conversation but you never know what customer really needs to talk to someone, or a family member is in need of some advice, there are situations that may need more responses and I am trying to work on that.
Like I said, mindfulness is shown in many aspects of life and for me a big part is during exercise and movement.
You have probably heard of “mind to muscle” connection which means engaging the muscles you are working during each exercise to ensure your form is correct, and to get the best results.
There have been plenty of days where I was dreading my workout the whole day and once I got to the gym I was completely checked out and unmotivated. Scrolling through social media during my 30 minute walk on the treadmill then picking the lowest weight for each exercise and performing them as fast as I could just to get out of there.
There is no mindfulness during those sessions, no improvement and horrible form, which will get me nowhere in the long wrong.
First of all, I should be thankful for any movement that I can get because it is so beneficial for my mind, body, and soul even when I feel like sitting on the couch all day.
Second, my muscles are definitely not getting a good stretch or workout when I half ass it and not connecting my mind to movements, and my bad form can lead to injuries that are easily preventable.
Each individual exercise should be performed with intentional and mindfulness which I continue to work on every day and something I encourage you all to practice as well.
A simple walk or 10 minute stretch requires some sort of engagement no matter how big or small, I promise you will notice a difference when you become more engaged in everything you do.
The most important part of life that we should be practicing mindfulness for is while eating.
Does that sound as weird to you as it did to me when I first read about this?
You don’t typically have in-depth thoughts while you are eating dinner, or at least I never did but it is actually extremely important to connect during meals.
You should be conscious about every piece of food you bring up to your mouth, how you are chewing it, swallowing it, and how it makes you feel when you are finished.
I can easily snack on a bag of chips but all of the sudden I reach the bottom of the bag because I was so focused on the Netflix show I was watching. I didn’t notice any cues that I was full and also didn’t realize I was going to finish off the whole bag.
Now don’t get me wrong, chips are one of my favorite snacks and so delicious but if I am mindfully eating them I will notice I only need a certain amount to feel satisfied instead of overindulging.
These are all small things that we typically don’t think of and might sound tedious, but they really are important to be aware of.
Having dinner at a table instead of on the couch or in a recliner is a great way to be more mindful while eating as well as eating with company vs. staring at a screen during your meal.
Believe it or not, eating intentionally can also help with digestion because like I mentioned, chewing slower allows your body to swallow and digest not as suddenly as it would if you are scarfing something down.
Small changes have big impact, so trying to create these connections where you can even in a minor aspect can be beneficial.
Next time you are feeling unmotivated or unhappy, try to tap into your intentions and go into a task with mindfulness.
I hope these tips and sharing my personal experiences can help you gain clarity on the changes you are making on your journey to the best version of yourself.
For more tips & guidance on how to build mindfulness into your lifestyle, reach out to me, give us a follow, or e-mail our Team, we are always happy to be of service.
Coach Liv, Pn1
Email: live@fitbarcafe.com
Instagram: @fitbarcafe.com
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