Creating Mindfullness

One thing many of us don’t like to talk about is the fact we are getting older. We may believe if we ignore this reality, it might go away. However, this leads us to not fully living in, and accepting, the present moment. To live mindfully in life is ‘to live in the present moment’, rather than dwelling on the past or anticipating the future. Becoming mindful enhances your resilience and your overall happiness in life.

Mind

Think about where you are right here and now, all of the wonderful things you have accomplished in your life and what you are grateful for. Focus on saying out loud all that you are grateful for. When we can live in a place of gratefulness, we automatically raise our vibration to being more positive and are able to create more happiness in our life. The more often you do this, the happier you will become. I suggest writing in a journal, every night, 5 – 10 things you are grateful for, you don’t need to go into detail, but this exercise will help you to think more positively and sleep more soundly when you are focusing on gratitude.

Our Thoughts. Pay attention to the thoughts you are thinking most often. Are they positive and uplifting or are they critical and negative? Choose to create a positive mindset and try not to let negative situations or thoughts control you. Did you know we can retrain our brain to block out negative thoughts? All you need to do is start by noticing when you have them and then reframe the thought instantly to be positive. For example, you may think “I have no energy today” change this to “I feel like I do have some energy today” which will instantly pick you up rather than keep you feeling low in energy. Sounds simple, and it is, but with practice and lots of reframing, your motivation and happiness will increase.

Body

Eat blueberries! Not only do blueberries boost your immunity but they are full of antioxidants and packed with vitamin C and potassium. They lower the risk of heart disease and cancer and are anti- inflammatory. Blueberries are also known to improve your memory and motor coordination.

Walking in nature. When you are out walking amongst the trees or walking along the beach, notice how you instantly feel calm. Walking in nature gives you more energy, helps you sleep better, have sharper memories, and feel more positive about yourself. It doesn’t have to be a long or strenuous walk, it can be a short stroll, but most importantly is making it into a regular routine.

Soul

Being purposeful with your life and doing something meaningful to you. This may be volunteering for a charity or a charitable trust or regularly helping at a food shelter or a hospice. If you have the time and energy this can be an incredibly meaningful way to give back to those who have supported you or a family member in the past, and it can be incredibly rewarding to make a difference in somebody else’s life.

Being creative can help you to pour your emotions out in a productive and meaningful way and can be fun and relaxing at the same time. Being creative can also be a powerful motivator, allowing you to live in the present moment, rather than dwelling on the past or having negative thoughts. Create a vision board of what you would like to manifest in the next season of your life. Use inspiring words you love, and write them on your Vision Board or cut them out of magazines with pictures of what you want to inspire into your life.

Growing older we experience so many changes, including career transitions, children growing up and leaving home, the loss of loved ones, health challenges, and sometimes a loss of independence. How we handle and grow from these changes is often the key to aging gracefully and happily.

As we grow into the golden years, we need to adapt to change rather than live in the past or become anxious about the future. What is important to our happiness is connection.  Connection to those we love and feeling connected to our community.

By Karlyn Sullivan-Jones, author of Be Inspired!

www.balanceandwellbeingcounselling.com