Mindfulness really breaks down to being present; present with yourself and present with your surroundings. One way to be fully present is to activate through your senses.
Life can go by very quickly when we get up and go through the mundane of our day. What truly gets you present to your life though is being aware of what is around you. Think back to some specific memories in your life. Can you recall what you saw, what you smelled, what you tasted? These all contribute to how we feel. When you take a moment to reflect on these memories, it truly is the senses that bring our memories to life and make our lives more fulfilling.
If sitting still and meditating is not your way of adding mindfulness to your life, consider finding ways to discover activating your senses each day as a way to bring the present to the forefront.
Beginning each morning through your senses is one way to wake your mind up for the day ahead of you while also adding in a bit of gratitude and appreciation.
Consider waking up each day through sound, sight, smell, taste and touch. What would that look like for you?
An example of this could be:
Sound
Turning on your favorite uplifting or calming songs right when you wake up, or setting your alarm to the sounds of nature (if you aren’t already surrounded by it)
Sight
Getting outdoors or letting the light into your eyes is a wonderful and effective way to wake up. It suppresses melatonin production and signals to your brain and body that it’s time to wake up.
Smell
Lighting a candle, diffusing essential oils, burning incense or palo santo, or even making a homemade cup of coffee or tea can bring a sense of calm.
Taste
Taste doesn’t have to be incredibly bold or flavorful, it can be tasting your first sip of water in the morning to begin activating your taste buds for the first bite of your first meal of the day.
Touch
Your first steps in the morning, into your house slippers, or your feet touching the rug or surface beneath you.
Another good way to activate your senses is getting out into nature. Nature truly brings presence into your life.
Have you gone on a hike? You have to watch where you step, what trail you go on, the sound of your breath in nature. There’s a beautiful and strenuous calm when in nature.
Pay attention to how your senses activate when you are outdoors. Can you identify how all 5 senses activate?
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