9 Ways You Can Start Or Get Back Into A Daily Mindfulness Routine
September is here, and getting back into a daily routine after summer or setting new intentions is an important part of good mental health. If you’ve never practiced mindfulness before, this is also a good ‘how to’ to get you started.
Having some simple mindfulness practices every day can help. A morning mindfulness routine can shift how you experience your day and support you throughout the week. How we end our day helps us to enter into a more restful sleep, giving us more energy for the next day. Pick one thing you’d like to add to your morning, afternoon and bedtime routine from our list. Do it consistently for two weeks and notice what changes. Tag @somandsoul on Instagram and tell us about your new routine.
Three mindfulness tips for a morning routine:
- Mindfulness and intention can start your morning off right. When you wake up take a pause and set your intention for the day. Make joy, peace, or an open heart, your intention for the day. Affirm it throughout the day. “Today, I affirm to welcome peace into my life.” Throughout the day, notice how this shows up for you.
- Incorporating 10 minutes of mindfulness meditation is a good way to connect with yourself. Start the morning with honouring the gift of your breath. Start your morning grounded before the day pulls you into 100 directions and find your centre.
- Stretch and move the body for 15 to 20 mins. Get your body moving. Movement helps us to get a sweet release of dopamine to start the day, which supports regulating your mood as you experience the challenges of everyday life.
Three mindfulness tips to rejuvenate your afternoon routine:
The mid-day dip in energy usually finds us seeking our next coffee as if our life depends on it. Let’s explore three ways we can re-energize during the middle of the day.
- Take a step into nature and be fully present. Step outside and feel the gentle breeze move across your skin. Feel the sunlight warm your face and listen to the sound of the leaves moving in the wind.
- Put your feet on the earth. Feel your feet planted on the ground, take a deep breath and let nature take care of you for 3 mins.
- Lunchtime check-in! Start your lunch with a midday pause with yourself. Breathe, reflect, and eat. Take 15 deep breaths in, and 15 slow and gentle breaths out. Ask yourself how you’re doing, you can close your eyes and take a mental inventory or write it in your journal. Be fully present as you eat your lunch. Enjoy each bite. And give thanks to all of the hands that were involved in the creation of your meal.
Evening mindfulness routines or exercises can help you unwind at bedtime, reduce anxiety and contribute to a good night’s sleep. Here are three mindfulness practices to start:
- Open up your journal and write about one thing you are grateful for. Start with; What I am grateful for? How did it enrich my life? How did it make me feel?
- Complete a body scan before you go to bed. A body scan is a great way to align our mind and body before sleep, bringing our awareness to the here and now. A great way to relax into sleep.
- Unplug from tech and let your phone charge in another room for the night. Allowing yourself to get uninterrupted sleep helps you to have a more restful sleep so you can be ready for the next day.
Reconnecting with yourself and adding an intentional pause to your daily routine can support your overall mental health and well-being. Little consistent changes can go a long way.
If you’re interested in learning more about meditation and mindfulness or need help with setting up a daily mindfulness routine, call us at Soma and Soul Wellness or book online for your appointment with our in-house wellness counsellor Randi-Mae Stanford-Leibold.