Mindfulness: Weathering the Storm

When people think of mindfulness, they tend to think of it as a lifestyle or immediately relate it to things like meditation, yoga and stillness. The concept of mindfulness had always been rather vague and unquantifiable. But mindfulness doesn’t have to be a lifestyle, or a way of living, so to speak. It can simply be a daily tool we can use to help us improve our emotional well-being. It’s natural to feel apprehensive and anxious in the face of an uncertain future, especially with the new year coming. But remembering that these changes lie beyond our control is important.

Here are some ways we can weather any mental storm that we may come across:

1. Meditate 
   The most common form of practising mindfulness is meditation. We know the powerful effects meditation has on us. Go easy on yourself if you’re a beginner at meditation. A simple way to cultivate meditation moments could be when you are commuting. Pop in your headphones, connect to meditation music on Spotify or a guided app and use those brief moments to help transition mentally from one situation to another.
2. This too shall pass
   Negative emotions are an inevitable part of life. When they arise, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. This is where staying present and non-judgmentally accepting our thoughts and feelings, comes into play. One powerful tool is the phrase, “This too shall pass.” When emotions are high and stress abounds, repeating this mantra provides a sense of perspective: emotions, like passing clouds, are temporary. This simple yet profound statement can help us ride out the emotional storm with grace.
3. The best shower of your life
   To end your day on a positive note, I find one of the best ways is to mindfully take a shower. I know you must be asking—what does that even mean? It means simply being “present” and fully aware of the warm water and the aroma of the soap, enjoying how everything makes you feel. Give thanks to the universe for this precious, though mundane, activity. When we intentionally practise this, it makes us feel grounded and metaphorically washes away the events of the day.

Amidst unpredictable situations, we need to strive to find mental clarity in order to live each day to the fullest. Happiness doesn’t have to be solely derived from other people or situations that you cannot control—you can take things in your hand and make these precious moments happen yourself.

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