Mindfulness Tips for Beginners

As you might know, mindfulness is a practice that allows you to stay present, be non-
judgmental, accept what is happening now in your life, and focus more on each action 
you take throughout the day. It provides many health benefits, including reducing stress 
and anxiety, giving you a more positive outlook, and helping you have the focus to 
succeed. 

Here are some tips for people just starting out with their mindfulness practice.


Work on Your Concentration

Mindfulness is called a practice because it is not a natural skill everyone possesses. 
You need to practice it every day, and over time, it becomes just as natural as 
breathing. However, you need to start somewhere, which is typically with concentrating.

If you are like most people, you go through your day completing mundane tasks you are 
used to, in a mindless way. Your mind probably wanders off and focuses on other 
things, like what you need to do later, making a mental to-do list, and thinking about a 
fond memory. 

What you need to do with mindfulness is concentrate on what you are doing or 
experiencing right now, not in the future or the past. This takes a good amount of focus 
and concentration in order to stay mindful.


Understand the Misconceptions About Mindfulness

People often confuse mindfulness and meditation because they can be done together, 
but they are not the same thing. Make sure you understand what mindful is and what it 
isn’t, as there are some common misconceptions about it.

Mindfulness is not meditation, where you clear your mind and achieve a zen level of 
peace and tranquility. Mindfulness is more about focusing on what you are currently 
doing or thinking about, and staying mindful of it. 

You are trying to focus your attention on what is happening in this very moment, instead 
of trying to think about nothing.


Be Mindful with Mundane Activities

An easy way to start practicing mindfulness is to focus on any mundane or simple 
activity you do during the day. This can be eating a meal, brushing your teeth, writing in 
a journal, driving to work, or petting your dog. As you participate in this activity, try to be 
mindful of it, the sensations, and focus on the task at hand. 

This will also help you to understand when you tend to zone out, such as while you are 
driving to the store or when you are using your phone. You want these activities to be 
as mindful as possible.
