10 ways to practice being mindful at home

5,4,3,2,1...Before you begin reading this article, let’s start with this countdown. Observe any five things you see, four things you can touch, three things you can hear, two things you can smell and one thing you can taste. 
What you are feeling now is the first basic rule of mindfulness: being aware of the senses. It’s savouring a present moment with all your five senses, without thinking about the past or the present. 
 

Before you go deeper into this quest, here are three things to consider. 
Firstly, ask yourself why are you doing it? Intention sets the goal, tells your mind what you wish for, and is ready to sail to the destination. Secondly, when you practice it, check your attention curve. Pay attention to every moment, observe the internal and external changes and developments. Thirdly, decide your attitude towards the practice. You want to do it with compassion, with love, with happiness; the choice is yours! 
 
Once you are familiar with these three tools, follow these 10 steps to being more mindful at home.
 

Akanksha wears the Tula dhoti pants and Veda sleeveless top in Sukhasana

1. Breathe with awareness

Just observe your breath going in and out. Remember, you do not breathe for tomorrow or yesterday, you only live in the moment. Use your breath to draw you back to the present.

Including raw fruits and vegetables in your diet is a great way to add color and make food fun

2. Eat mindfully

This phrase has changed how I eat. “Eat water and drink food.” Sounds odd and funny, but it has excellent logic. This means chew your food till it becomes liquid, so it mixes with saliva well and boosts the digestion process. Also, when you drink a liquid, release it slowly so you don’t mess the internal lining of the stomach. Develop a practice of eating your food on the table, away from screens and unnecessary talks. Take time to enjoy the food you are blessed with. 

Journaling is an integral part of our mindfulness journey.

3. Keep a journal

A journal is an account of the things you do in life and teaches how you are moving in life. Today’s problem would seem little in the future, and today’s joys would be a healthy reminder of hope. I have these columns in my journal: 

1. Daily wins: all my achievements from completing the steps count to sleeping for 8 hours. 
2. What did I learn today: eg. patience in dealing with a challenge.
3. What drained my energy: eg. binge-watching and gossiping. 
4. What filled me with enthusiasm: eg. catching up with friends.
5. Affirmations: What I want to manifest, affirm eg. I m confident, I m abundant, I m positive.

Akanksha is an avid writer, podcaster and a yogini.

4. Learn something new

Anything done daily becomes a default habit, and you become less mindful of it. Hence take time to try out new things every day to become mindful and also gain new experience. 

Akanksha wears the Tula dhoti pants and Veda sleeveless top in seated Garudasana

5. Meditate

One of the most effective ways to meditate is to stay still and become aware of each body part. Sit, stand or lie down comfortably and just observe. When you start, you will realise that this is not as easy. Initially, your mind will be full of thoughts, but you will be able to experience blissful mindfulness with practice and time. 

Akanksha wears the Tula dhoti pants and Veda sleeveless top in seated Eka pada raja kapotasana

6. Practice Antar mauna/ inner silence

It is another form of meditation. It means to close all the tabs open in our minds by becoming aware of your senses and thoughts and then observing them from the eyes of a third person. This practice reminds us that we are not what we feel through our senses or our thoughts. Instead, we are present as a mindful observer who understands the difference between body, mind and soul. 

Akanksha wears the Tula dhoti pants and Veda sleeveless top in Hanumaanasana

7. Practice Gratitude

Think of the things and people who are there for you, making you feel better, make your life better. Do this at the beginning of the day and at the end.

Akanksha wears the Tula dhoti pants and Veda sleeveless top in seated Gomukhasana

8. Take mindfulness breaks

I use a pomodoro clock on my phone or laptop. It helps me focus on my work for 25 minutes straight and then it rings and reminds me I have 5 minutes to do anything I want. So I can walk, have a sip of water, lie down, or watch what’s happening outside from the balcony. 

Akanksha wears the Tula dhoti pants and Veda sleeveless top in seated Eka pada raja kapotasana

9. Workout

An exercise routine aligns our body with a set of rules that keep us fit physically and engage our brain cells actively thus influencing our moods. So get up and work out! 

Akanksha wears the Tula dhoti pants and Veda sleeveless top in seated Urdva dhanurasana

10. Listening to our body

Every day, check with your body and address what it feels physically, mentally and emotionally. If you feel pain in your knees, apply a balm, massage it. If you think you have a heavy heart and feel anxious, practice prananyama and some stress relief asanas.

A mindful person radiates positivity and sets an example for others to follow his/her path. Initially mindfulness is a practice that is done intentionally. Over time it becomes a habit that makes you more connected to the present and helps you understand the abundance of life. So start your mindfulness practice today and let us know which is your favorite part of the practice!