As a woman, you probably have to multitask a lot. Because it happens so often, it is presumed to be normal and even celebrated. It is not. Multitasking increases stress levels, irritability, depression and anxiety levels.
You give each task less focus and attention than it deserves because your attention is split into multiple places. Multitasking causes you to be less productive overall.
You have to multitask because you have a lot of things to attend to in different spheres of your lives. In all of this, it is very easy to forget the most one aspect of life that affects the quality of everything else—your well-being.
Prioritising your well-being doesn’t have to be all spa dates and pedicures. You can prioritise your well-being by practising mindfulness regularly.
Mindfulness is the practice of checking in with yourself. Paying attention to how you feel, what your body is telling you, and where your mental space is.
It is an opportunity to rest, assess what’s going on with you, and even encourage yourself.
Mindfulness practices can be simple things. In this article, we will introduce you to three simple mindfulness practices you can start implementing today.
Breathing exercises
If this is new to you, it might sound ridiculous. But simply taking deep breaths in and out, especially when you’re upset or overwhelmed, can help you calm down. To do this effectively, sit in one position and close your eyes. Breathe in slowly and deeply through the nose and out through the mouth each time, focusing on each breath as it enters and leaves your body. You don’t have to do this for a long time. You will feel relaxed even after one minute.
Walking
Select a route that is calm and peaceful. Walk slowly, taking note of everything that is happening around you. The breeze, nature, and people commuting to or from work around you. Notice everything. Also, be aware of how you feel while you walk. Do you feel relaxed? Are you able to focus less on your problems and work? Take note of how you feel and what you’re thinking.
Journaling
There are different ways to journal for mindfulness. You could practice gratitude journaling. Take note of the things you’re grateful for every day. That is a fantastic way to see the silver lining in your life and be thankful for it.
You could also use journaling to check in with yourself. You could write about how you feel on a particular day. Or you could write about things you’re working towards and how far you’ve gone.
In any case, journaling is an easy way to pay attention to yourself and have a record of your thoughts, feelings, and the things you’re grateful for.
The Bottomline
Many women can’t help the amount of work they have to do daily. But you can be more intentional about taking care of yourself.
Paying more attention to yourself by practising mindfulness will save you from burnout and reduce your stress and anxiety levels. It will also sharpen your focus and increase your concentration levels.
Start practising these mindfulness exercises today and watch your life improve before your eyes.
