In the morning, by simply using our senses, we can explore so many things even as we lie in bed. Being mindful, shouldn’t be yet another thing to add to an overflowing checklist, it can be done as you wake, or prepare for your day ahead. 

You can learn how to be more mindful by paying attention to the way your breath flows in and out of your body. Being mindful and attuned to your breath is also a great way to be more present. Inhale deeply and let your body expand and fill up, and then release the breath and let go of anything that is bothering you, such as a troubling thought or an area in your body where you realise you are holding tension. 

Our morning routines can bring us a wonderful opportunity to practice mindfulness and appreciate ourselves as we prepare for the day ahead. Brushing your hair. Putting on make-up or moisturiser. Shaving.  As you look in the mirror, don’t let criticism be your first and lingering thought. We can spend so much time thinking about how our bodies look that we forget how much they actually do for us.

You can also use mindful eating to start the day as you eat breakfast or enjoy a cup of tea or coffee. As you savor each look, aroma, flavor, texture, and sensation, intentionally focus your attention on each.

You may also wish to journal in a way that keeps you into the present. While doing this, you can acknowledge what you are feeling or thinking and  perhaps even note several things you are grateful for right here and now. 

If you are able, make time to spend quality time with your loved ones. Whether it is a hug for your partner, your friends or your children, connecting with them if they are aren’t in the same place, or a moment of snuggling with your pet, be present in that moment and be grateful for what your loved one means to you. It is easy to get overwhelmed by anxiety and issues, but a mindful moment spent with loved ones (and even animals!) is an opportunity to remember and appreciate the fact that somebody loves you.