Cultivating Calm: Mindful Techniques for a Busy Life

(mouse clicking) (ambient ethereal music) Headspace Studios. Hello and welcome back to "Radio Headspace." It's Eve here with you. So in the last couple of episodes, we've explored some of the core philosophies and concepts that really underpin the teachings of meditation and mindfulness. Even though these practices date back well over two and a half thousand years, they remain relevant in today's modern world. And if you were listening last week, you'll remember that I shared a study that showed we have around 6,200 chains of thoughts in a day. That is a lot of thinking, and will experience emotions and feelings, which turn can fuel our thoughts, leaving the mind and body feeling overwhelmed and distracted. By being present and conscious of our feelings and our emotions, we'll be better able to navigate them, to cultivate some space and to view ourselves and others in a kinder and less judgmental way. With that in mind, I want to share some practical ways that you can cultivate focus and clarity in your everyday life, and you don't have to change your entire routine to do it. Tip number one, apply mindfulness to decision-making. In today's world, we are constantly faced with decisions both large and small. When I look back on mistakes I've made, it's almost always because I didn't give my full attention to the decision-making process. The chances are that if you approach decision making with more thought and intention, your life might also feel a bit easier. For example, if you want to tell your partner or someone close to you something that might be difficult for them to hear, can you pause, take a step back, and consider the best way in which to approach it. Tip number two, incorporate mindful breaks into your day. This may not sound like groundbreaking advice, but I promise you it will be so impactful. If you have a really busy morning, try to set aside some time to just step away from your computer screen, even if it's just for three or five minutes. And if possible, doing this every 30 to 45 minutes is definitely recommended. Deprioritizing our own self-care can be so easy, but over time, it leads to burnout and more stress. And then finally, tip number three, experiment with mindful eating. In my NBSR classes, my students often say that mindful eating is their favorite activity and that it helps to calm their mind and engage their senses. Again, this might sound like a very simple activity, but it's amazing how often we eat without thinking, whilst doing something else. Mindful eating also gives us an opportunity to appreciate the food we have in front of us, recognizing that it often takes a whole army of people to get the food into our hands and tummies. So maybe at lunch or tonight with your evening meal, see if you can slow down and focus even just briefly on that first bite. Notice the textures,...