How to Make Room for Mindfulness in Your Life

Have you ever tried to read or meditate only to find out that you’ve not paid attention to 
the words or that your mind drifted when you were supposed to focus on breathing? 
You may need to exercise your mindfulness muscles a little more. Here’s how you can 
do that. 


1. Regularly Bring Yourself Back to the Present 

If you notice that your mind is drifting when you’re supposed to be focused on 
something specific, acknowledge that, don’t beat yourself up over it and simply bring 
yourself back to the present. Mindfulness is something you can focus on throughout the 
day – it’s not something you have to set an alarm for! Whether your mind is wandering 
or you’re experiencing a negative emotion, these are the perfect times to refocus and 
become more mindful. 


2. Choose an Activity That Helps You to Be More Mindful 

While you don’t have to designate time to mindfulness, some people find that it can help 
the improve in this area. Think about a project or activity that keeps you focused. It may 
be working out, doing a puzzle, listening to music or coloring – whatever you focus on 
without your mind wandering and without negative emotions creeping in. Make it a point 
to do this activity on a regularly, even daily basis. 


3. Don’t Worry About the Thoughts That Creep in 

Even when you have your heart set on remaining mindful, other thoughts are going to 
creep in from time to time. Instead of beating yourself up over this, accept them and 
then let them go. If you start to feel guilty, you’re just going to get even more distracted. 

Mindfulness is not about being positive all the time or having a clear mind. You want to 
let all your thoughts in, but let them pass without judgment or guilt.


4. Tune Into Your Senses 

Not sure how to focus on the present moment? Think about exactly what's going on in 
the moment. What are you touching or what's touching you, like your clothing? How 
does it feel? What do you smell when you inhale deeply? Do you taste or hear 
anything? If your eyes are open, what are you looking at? This is great to do whenever 
you feel like being more mindful, but it's especially helpful if you're having trouble 
focusing on the moment. 

Mindfulness can bring you a lot of peace in your daily life, and by practicing it every day, 
it will become a habit that you no longer have to think about.

