5 Ways to Be More Mindful, When You Don't Like Meditation

Guest post by Ashleigh Page, founder of Finding Happiness

Want to be more mindful during your day, but aren’t the biggest fan of meditation?

Don’t worry!

Although there are many benefits of meditating regularly, meditation is not the only way to practice mindfulness during your day.

When I was first learning about mindfulness, meditation was the first technique I tried. But, it took me some time to not only grasp the concepts of meditation, but to actually enjoy it.

Out of curiosity, I searched for other ways to be mindful and, to my surprise, there were several other ways you can do it. (And, they’re not rocket science at all!)

These days, there are so many things that we do out of habit and on auto-pilot. We tend to get so stressed out about our current to-do lists, the idea of adding yet another thing to them freaks us out.

But, what if you could be mindful without having to add another task to your list?

Wouldn’t that be awesome! 😊

Here are 5 simple ways you can be more mindful during your day, without meditation:

5 ways to be more mindful in your daily life

Mindful deep breathing

Did you know that focused deep breathing can be an effective (and very easy!) way to be more mindful?

Deep breathing involves bringing awareness to your breath and gradually slowing down the rate of your breathing. This helps you maximize the amount of oxygen entering your body and also activates your Parasympathetic Nervous System (PNS). The PNS is responsible for our counter response to stress. It helps to bring our bodies back into balance, also termed homeostasis.

While focusing on the sensations of your breath, strive to let go of any thoughts or emotions that are currently running through your mind and body.

There is something naturally calming about just sitting and listening to your breath in and out. This is why it is such a great and simple mindfulness technique to learn.

A quick note on proper “deep” breathing: It’s important to breathe deeply into your diaphragm (near your belly) rather than into your chest to heighten relaxation.

How to eat mindfully

It continues to fascinate me how the tradition of eating has changed so much over recent decades.

For much of human history, hunting and eating a large meal was a momentous celebration and ritual. Even a few hundred years ago, sitting at the dinner table with a tribe-sized banquet was considered a festive occasion with family and friends.

Nowadays, many of us have become accustomed to eating on our own, eating at our work desks, eating our dinner while watching TV or even just grabbing something takeaway while on the run. It’s like we’ve forgotten to value, savor and celebrate the food we put into our mouths.

Mindful eating is greatly beneficial for our health because it can prevent overeating (which, of course, can lead to unwanted weight gain). Through the addition of mindfulness, we naturally become more conscious of what we’re putting into our mouths and give our gut and brain time to signal when we’re full.

To be mindful whilst eating, the key thing to remember is: slow down!

Consider the colors, smells and texture of your food as you eat it. Take one bite at a time, chew slowly and savor the flavors.

Where you can, avoid eating with distractions or temptations around you. This will make your life easier, and your body will thank you for it in the long run.

Mindful exercise

Paying attention to the present moment when exercising is a simple way to be more mindful outside of meditation.

For example, pay attention to the sensations of running or walking. Take note of how your body feels. Tune into the rhythm of your breathing, the feeling of the wind on your face and even the sensation of your feet hitting the pavement.

There’s something almost hypnotic about focusing your attention on an object in the distance and observing the feelings of achievement as you approach closer and closer.

Next time you go for a run or walk, give this one a try!

Being mindful in the shower / bath

If you’re wanting to learn how to be more mindful, your daily shower is the perfect place. For many of us, it is our greatest opportunity for peace and quiet.

During your next shower or bath, take a moment to pamper yourself. Tune out of everything that has happened, or is likely to happen in your day. Let go of existing thoughts racing through your mind and instead, just focus on the immediate sensations of being in the shower. How does the warm water feel on your skin? Are there any fragrances you can smell? How does the water sound as it splashes against your body?

This is a very simple and pleasurable way to be more mindful during your day.

Mindfulness during housework

For most of us, doing the household chores is not the highlight of our day. It is often something we procrastinate with or dislike with a passion.

But what if you could use that time for your own benefit?

Doing the dishes may not be as pleasurable as having a shower or eating your favorite meal, but you can use it as a time to be mindful, unwind and relax.

Yep! That’s right.

Mindfulness is all about focusing your attention on what you’re doing in that present moment and acknowledging the sensations that come from it.

This can be applied with most household chores, which we tend to do on auto-pilot. The next time you’re washing your dishes, reflect on the sensations you feel: Is the water hot or cold? Does each dish have a different texture? Are you creating a rhythm of some kind?

Being mindful during housework is another simple way to incorporate mindfulness into your day—without having to add an additional item to your to-do list. (A great option if you feel that you have no extra time in your day!)

So, there you have it: 5 simple ways to be more mindful, without practicing meditation!

I hope you have found this article enlightening and have learned some pointers that you can take away and start incorporating into your own life.

Mindfulness is such a simple exercise that can bring some valuable health benefits. Don’t take “living in the present moment” for granted.

Four Wellness Co. wellness blog, wellness tips for healthy living

Ashleigh Page is a former corporate girl, turned solo backpacker, blogger, meditation yogi and founder of the website Finding Happiness. She empowers and teaches high-achieving women how to master their mindset and transform their lives, naturally through meditation, mindset, holistic health and ruthless productivity.