5 Ways You Can Bring Mindfulness Into Your Home

Mindfulness has become somewhat of a buzzword. But what does mindfulness even mean? How do I become mindful, and why? All very valid questions, and questions I can answer for you.

As a KonMari Consultant  and longtime yoga practitioner, I see mindfulness as just another way to bring simplicity and consciousness into my life. Our lives can get busy and we lose sight of what truly matters. Mindfulness is often one of the most underused tools in our self care tool kit. It has a profound positive effect on our health and wellbeing and is accessible to everyone - even at home.

What is mindfulness?

Put simply, mindfulness is to be aware of the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting feelings, thoughts, and sensations. Mindfulness has been described as both a meditation and a way of living. To be mindful is to know where your attention is, prioritise where it needs to be, and bring it back when it wanders off track.

Why be mindful?

Have you ever eaten without tasting? Read a page and not absorb anything? Forgotten where you put the keys? Of course, we all lead busy lives, but constantly living this way can cause ongoing frustration, anxiety and even depression. Acting mindfully helps us get more enjoyment out of life, make the best use of our time and reduce stress.

3. Mind and Light: Notice the change in light

Both changes in season and weather patterns bring with them unique changes in light. Take note of how your home changes through the day. Does the afternoon give certain rooms a warm glow, is there a particular window that lets morning rays stream in? Mindfully heighten your sense of sight and tune into the changes throughout the days, and across the year. This is also a great technique to use for restful holidays.

4. Mindful Tasks: Turn a chore into a mindful practice

Almost anything can be turned into a mindfulness activity, including chores – take washing dishes for example. Tune in and notice the warmth of the water against your skin. Listen to the sound of the plates as they move through the water. Watch the water droplets roll down the china. Just a few minutes of calm, mindful observation can turn a must-do activity into a meditative practice. Rather than seeing chores as a burden, you may begin to see them as opportunities to enjoy the present moment as it is.

5. Mindful Work: Drop the multitasking

If you’re the kind of person who is trying to do multiple things at once, stop. Research tells us that multitasking is not as beneficial as first thought. Doing two things at once is just carrying out two tasks half as well. Multitasking reduces our focus, memory, and enjoyment, and can cause stress. Training our brain to engage its attention to the most important task will allow you to not only complete your to-do list quicker but will also improve your attention span. 

For more information on work, clutter and health read 6 Reasons Why Clutter is Damaging Your Health, and Costing You Money.

There you have it, five ways to add a touch of mindful living into your home.

Mindfulness FAQS