It is no secret that starting the week off on a positive and mindful note can have an immense impact on the rest of your week. Mindful Mondays are something that I've been paying close attention to and it basically means being present, taking the time to be mindful of yourself and your environment, and making conscious decisions throughout your day - plus it's a great way to start your week!
In this article, I'll be discussing how to begin your week mindfully, from setting achievable goals to taking time for self-care. We will explore different tips and techniques that can help you start your week in a conscious way so that you can create a productive and balanced week ahead. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of how to make every Monday count!
Welcome Your Day
Put on a happy face and say good morning to yourself every morning.
A strong and effective technique to start the day on a good note is to greet yourself in the mirror. It's not just about greeting others; it's also about acknowledging the tiny acts of kindness and love that you offer yourself in the present, whether they come from inside yourself or from outside of yourself. As I sit down to write and reflect on my day, I frequently find myself thinking about the ways in which I treated other people with consideration throughout the various facets of my day (and who knows what else).
It is important to remember to use people's names while greeting them at work or school rather than saying "hey" or "hello" since this will make the other person feel more welcome. Whenever someone greets you first when you meet them (or even when they greet themselves), you should strive to return the favour as soon as possible by responding something along the lines of "hello back!", again just keep it positive!
Breath Mindfully
You might not have given much thought to the natural act of breathing because it is so automatic. Breathing is a natural mechanism for our body to relieve stress and quiet the mind, similar to the way that we yawn, yap, and sigh.
When we are feeling concerned or nervous about anything, it is crucial to keep in mind that taking a few deep breaths may make us feel better, and this improvement can occur in a matter of seconds.
Try developing the skill of attentive breathing: Make sure you're comfortable and that your back is straight (if possible). Place one hand on top of your stomach area, and then place the other hand on top of the first hand.
Take slow, deliberate breaths into each nostril until both sides have been filled with air, and then exhale slowly again through both nostrils until all of the air in the body has left the body. This process should be repeated until all of the air has left the body (about 4 seconds total). It is recommended that you perform this routine 10 times every day, at the very least once per day.
Start Your Day With A Gratitude Exercise
One of the best ways to start your day mindfully is by practicing gratitude. When we are grateful, our bodies release oxytocin, which makes us feel good and relaxed. In fact, studies show that people who practice gratitude report feeling happier and more connected with others than those who don’t practice it regularly.
Practicing gratitude is one of the things that has helped me the most in my adult life and it can really change your life if you are consistent and make it a daily habit.
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Use Mindful Walking As A Way To Start Your Day
Walk in a way that is comfortable for you. You can walk at any pace, but try to be mindful of how your body feels and whether or not it’s feeling tired.
Walk for at least 10 minutes. Walking is an easy way to create space between yourself and your thoughts, so don't feel like you have to do anything fancy! Just take several deep breaths and focus on each step as it comes up in front of you.
Walk with a friend or family member if possible—it will make things more fun! And if not, find someone who loves nature as much as you do (and maybe even wants some fresh air), then get yourselves out there for a nice stroll.
When doing this practice outside is not possible (because its battering it down or too hot which is unlikely in the UK), try using headphones instead: listen through them whilst you walk without thinking about what's going on around you; instead just enjoy the music!
Be Grateful For What You Have
Focus on being thankful for what you do have rather than complaining about what you don't.
Doing this teaches us to create a mindset that is one of appreciation and gratitude towards life in general, and as we continue to practice gratitude, it becomes simpler to see things in a more optimistic way, and we are less likely to become preoccupied with our own problems or fears.
When we are grateful for all the good things in our lives, such as our health, the presence of family members (even if they aren't always speaking), and opportunities that come our way, it not only makes it easier to be aware of these things, but it also makes it easier to appreciate them to their fullest extent when they do occur.
Take Time To Smell The Roses
Stop and smell the roses. Simply take a full breath, hold it, and then exhale gently through your nose after the deep inhale. This can be done at any time of the day, but it is recommended that you do it first thing in the morning before you have to rush off to work or school (or anyplace else). It's also a great way to get your day started off right - I tend to do either a guided meditation or set a timer for 10 minutes first thing.
You don't have to take the saying literally but you can if you want to! Take in the aroma of certain plants or flowers: If you have access to fresh flowers or herbs that are blooming outside, go select one and put it somewhere in your house where you'll see it every day; a spot on an empty kitchen countertop may be perfect for this! Or, you might go on a nature walk with your children and bring back some wildflowers for them to smell as well.
Take a deep breath of the crisp, clean air: Some individuals believe that spending some time away from people helps them reset their brain after a long day of work - this is actually what I prefer anyway, while others think that spending some time in nature is the best way to feel refreshed after a hard day at the office.
Give Yourself a Mindful Start To The Week With These 5 Simple Tips
When you stop and think about it, waking up is the very first thing you do each and every morning. In addition, when it's time to go to bed, it can be like groundhog day trying to make sure that your body has enough time to rest and relax before entering hibernation mode.
When we aren't feeling well or are stressed out by anything else going on in our lives, it may be easy for us to forget about simply being present with ourselves since it is so easy for us to get caught up in our hectic schedules or busy lives and forget about just being present with ourselves.
Here's a run down of the best tips you can start your week with a more positive outlook today:
Conclusion
Mondays are often hectic for all of us due to the busy lifestyles we lead. But, we may still make room in our schedules to practise mindfulness. Focusing on oneself as a strategy to get the rest of the week off to a good start can be accomplished by participating in mindful Mondays. You won't have to put in a lot of time or effort, but it will pay off in the long term by making you happier and more content.