The best way to start to bring mindfulness into your life is to practice a mini meditation session each day. Anything from 30 seconds to 5 minutes is enough. Some days you may want to enjoy a longer meditation, say a 20-45 minutes session. As long as you practice some form of meditation, no matter how long.  

You may find to begin with you need to set your alarm to make sure you do it, forming this new habit will take time but it will gradually become a natural part of your day.

Sit in a cross-legged, upright position or lie down flat to allow easy breathing. Focus on slowly drawing air in through your nose, feeling your chest and abdomen fill, and then exhale. 

Using meditation during difficult situations is a really positive way to uplift your mood as you will begin to feel how it can help control negative emotions, allowing you to look from a different perspective and approach with a more controlled, calm mindset.

 

It sounds simple, but being outside and surrounding yourself with nature will naturally help you to unwind. Being in nature and even viewing scenes of nature, reduces anger, fear, and stress and increases pleasant feelings. Use your daily exercise to get close to nature if you can, or if you have a garden, take advantage of it! It not only boosts your emotional well-being, it is good for your physical well-being to and not forgetting that you will be getting your daily dose of Vitamin D. 

Writing daily in a gratitude journal does wonderful things for your mental health. Putting pen to paper and turning your attention to everything you are grateful for helps to take any stresses or worries away as you begin to focus on the positive. If you do not have a gratitude journal, simply use a blank notepad or some paper and begin it with 'Today I Am Grateful For' before listing them one by one. It can be anything, from big things too little things, to something we can all take for granted - our eyes, that are reading this right now. 

Assuming that you’re not reading a stressful thriller or horror novel, reading is another great way of having some ‘me time’ and take your mind away from any stresses that you may be feeling. Making time to read and investing your mind in books that bring you joy and calm, or laughter is good for your well-being. Taking a few hours of reading each week or day even, which i'm sure lots of us could right now, is a very simple but often incredible effective way of generating some inner peace and tranquility for yourself. Both of which are really important when you’re trying to de-stress and manage anxiety. 

 

Use this time at home to invest in a good book, a feel-good book, or something intellectual that is going to be knowledgable and teach you something new. 

 

 

Our beloved pets tend to soften the edges of stress. If you have a pet, lounge with your dog or snuggle with your cat. It is especially difficult to feel anger or stress in the presence of a furry friend—their selfless love, affection, and sense of wonder tends to be contagious and they can't help but make you smile and feel comfort. Animals have a way about them that is just relaxed and calm, or wildly crazy that we bounce off their energy, bringing us joy and happiness. Spend some time with your fur babies and enjoy their company.  If you don’t have a pet, maybe ask for your friends or loved ones to send you some cute and funny pictures of theirs. 

 

It has been said that listening to music can help improve your mood, reduce stress and even improve sleep. Listening to music you like releases dopamine within the brain, a 'feel-good' neurotransmitter. Helping to improve our mental health, choose music that you enjoy, songs that you can't help but sing a long to or that make you want to dance. Listening to your favourite music will give you a natural high and emotional boost! You will almost feel any worries drifting away with each song.  

 

Or if you are looking to completely relax and un-wind choose a soothing song, something that is calming and close your eyes, completely zoning out for the duration. Tune into the instruments, harmonies and calming notes.