Is being busy a state of mind?
If you’re taking just a few precious moments out of a hectic day to read this, you’re probably thinking that being busy simply isn’t a choice.
Many of us spend our lives running from one thing to the next – work, looking after our children, making meals, cleaning the house, taking the dog for a walk, doing the weekly shop. The to-do list never ends. And after that there’s staying fit and looking after yourself, friends and family to see, birthdays to plan for and so on.
When caught in the whirlwind of modern life it can be difficult to take a step back and enjoy life as it is happening around us. Many of us accept stress and exhaustion as a part of our daily life and only the brave or desperate dare to step off the racetrack of life to see if there is a way to be more mindful and enjoy a more meaningful existence. Meanwhile the rest of us continue to run around in the hamster wheel of life until we’re positively dizzy.
It seems in the modern day we are all time poor, sinking beneath the burden of busyness. But does life really have to be so hectic or are we simply our own worst enemy? Is it possible that being ‘busy’ is a state of mind rather than a reality?
Although it may not be possible to completely strip our lives of ever having things to do, there is a practical way for us all to be more ‘in the moment’ or mindful, allowing us to reconnect with life as it happens at any given time.
Here are three mindfulness tips to help you to break away from your busy life…
1. Take a deep breath
Breathing is a powerful way to anchor yourself in the present moment. Take a few minutes each day to concentrate on your breathing. Keep your mind clear of any thoughts and focus on each breath to help you recharge.
2. Stop and listen
Take a moment to simply listen to the sounds around you and enjoy the richness of life in the here and now.
3. Find an anchor
Your anchor could be as simple as a piece of string tied around your wrist but whatever you choose, make sure that when you see it, it will remind you to commit to the present moment.
By practising these three tips each day for a few weeks, it may be possible to step outside of a busy state of mind to feel more relaxed and to enjoy greater happiness in your life.
