Happy Monday! 

Let this be your reminder to take a moment to be mindful and not just have your mind be full.

Simply put, mindfulness is the practice of placing attention and awareness on what is happening in the present moment without making any judgements. 

This doesn’t mean you need to sit in meditation for an hour; although, that’s not a bad idea. 

It can be as simple as taking five deep breaths. 

Staying silent and still for one minute. 

Closing your eyes and listening to the sounds around you. 

Thinking about five things for which you are grateful. 

Saying to yourself: May I be happy. May I be healthy. May I be at peace. 

It doesn’t take much but this practice can help reduce rumination and stress, boost memory and focus, decrease emotional reactivity and so much more. 

And, it is a practice. You can’t take one deep breath and expect all the benefits. It’s about making mindfulness a part of your day, every day. 

Some of my favorite ways to be mindful are meditating, watching sunrise, journaling, grounding in nature, coloring, doing puzzles and, of course, just taking time to breathe. 

What are yours?