Do I need to meditate to be mindful?
When talking about mindfulness, this question certainly comes up a lot.
And if you have never meditated before or you have a racing mind, like me, sitting down and observing your thoughts can be daunting.
So, the short answer is: No, you don't need to meditate to be mindful.
Now that we are off the hook, let's explore why mindfulness and meditation go hand in hand and how to be more mindful without sitting on a cushion.
Mindfulness is about being present
and paying attention to our thoughts
and feelings without judgement.
Guess what meditation does? It allows us to be in the present and pay attention without attachment (after a bit of practice). This is why it is a great tool. But what if we find it hard, at least for now?
Lucky for us, there are other forms of practising mindfulness.
Mindfulness is not a particular action, it is a state of being. We can do anything, from doing the dishes to playing with our dog, mindfully. To start putting it into practice, here are some concrete activities that can help:
- practising yoga - I believe you can only do the asanas and the breathing correctly if your mind is present and focused. It has the added benefit that it is also fantastic for your body.walking mindfully - no phone, no distractions. Just feel the ground, your body moving, and see one foot in front of the other. Observe the horizon and the little blades of grass, birds flying past, and the people on your path... bonus points if you can do it barefoot (safely, of course)
- doing crafts/art - Hence why mindfulness colouring books are so popular. Accessing our creativity and focusing on the task at hand is a great way to practice.
- journalling - getting your worries out of your head and working through emotions and feelings can help us get perspective and put us in the "observer" role.
- gardening - another tactile activity that also involves being outside. Observing the changing seasons, being patient to see results, and the beauty of flowers is all part of the process.
As you can see, there are many paths to enlightenment, so find one you can stick with and that you enjoy. Consistency is the key!
However, If you want to give meditating a go, you could ease into it. A good way is to take a few minutes every day to just breathe and focus on the rise and fall of your chest. Thoughts will come (don't I know it!), just come back to the breath.
Then you could start with a very short meditation like this one. There are many types of meditation, so it might be worth trying a few styles to find the one that suits you best or mix and match for variety.
And, of course, Your Mindful Year is another tool you can use to create and maintain a mindfulness practice.
Stay connected with news and updates!
Join our mailing list to receive the latest news and updates.
Don't worry, you will only receive the occasional newsletter.
We hate SPAM. We will never sell your information, for any reason.
