5 Mindfulness and Happiness-Inducing Habits

• Image Credit: Life Beyond Numbers

• Sep 9, 2022 | Kabir Chakraborty

By encouraging us to take thoughtful breaks that help us focus on the present, practicing mindfulness can help us deal with these problems and improve our well-being. It can teach us to respond less quickly.

Digital
Desk: Being aware is staying in the here and now without worrying too much
about the past or the future. We achieve the finest outcomes and feel the
happiest when we focus on the here and now and carry out a task without being
distracted by our opinions, unfavorable feelings, or tension. However, in
today's fast-paced world, mindfulness is becoming more and more challenging
because we have more on our plates than we can handle and end up doing
everything in a hurried manner, which negatively impacts our mental health and
prevents us from experiencing any joy or satisfaction we might otherwise feel.

"We
are all running a marathon while juggling numerous tasks in the fast-paced
world of today. In addition to attempting to be top-notch employees, we also
want to be terrific parents, partners, and friends. This huge rush to
accomplish everything and be everywhere may have a negative impact on our
health, leading us to struggle with stress, worry, and lack of sleep,"
explains Prakriti Poddar, global head of RoundGlass and an expert in mental
health.

Rescue
by Mindfulness

By
encouraging us to take thoughtful breaks that help us focus on the present,
practicing mindfulness can help us deal with these problems and improve our
well-being. It can teach us to respond less quickly.

According
to scientific studies, after a few months of practice, the amygdala- the brain
region responsible for emotions, emotional behaviour, and motivation- becomes
calmer.

In
order to ride our hard situations with grace and release ourselves from
powerful negative emotions, being mindful demands us to operate as witnesses of
our emotions, thoughts, and actions "Poddar explains.

How
to Be Present: A Guide

Anytime
and anywhere is a good place to practice mindfulness. You will learn that
staying in the present can be a freeing experience and alter your entire
outlook with continued practice.

Poddar
suggests five daily habits that can make you more mindful.

1. Each
   day is a fresh start, so create an objective for the day to guide you
   through it with more confidence, joy, and appreciation. It could be
   something like, "I'll try to be happy today," "I'll stay
   calm," "I'll be sympathetic at work," or anything else that
   will help you feel more in control, happy, and calm.

2. Focusing
   on your breath as you inhale and exhale can help quiet the jumble of
   emotions and thoughts and subtly train your attention to stop wandering.
   If you're feeling overwhelmed, try a fast session (five to seven minutes)
   of mindful breathing.

3. Activate
   your senses. To come out of an emotional state and focus on the here and
   now, activate all of your senses, including sight, smell, touch, taste,
   and sound. This will immediately refocus your attention on the here and
   now and divert your attention from challenging feelings and ideas. You can
   savour your meal more deliberately by using all of your senses when
   eating. Be curious about the food you are consuming and place an emphasis
   on the quality rather than the amount of it. To reap the most health
   benefits from exercise for you, try this when going for a walk.

4. Respond
   rather than react: This behaviour can make you a more thoughtful parent.
   For instance, you would become furious and yell at your child if he broke
   a priceless vase. But pause, acknowledge your rage, take a big breath, and
   consider the circumstances. Is he in pain or in fear? So vase- was it
   really that significant? If not, it's alright. As you clean up the mess
   with your child, talk to him about how to prevent similar mishaps in the
   future. This parenting approach promotes open communication between
   parents and children, which makes kids feel comfortable and supported.

5. Express
   Your Gratitude: Saying "thank you" to someone or being
   appreciative for anything that makes you happy brings forth positive
   emotions and aids in regaining your composure. Finding positive things in
   your surroundings and showing thanks for them might help you overcome
   unpleasant emotions and feelings.