Keeping Your Focus: A Minute of Daily Meditation Can Help You Function Better in Your Everyday Tasks

We often use the word “busy" when describing our lives. Our minds are always preoccupied with family and work matters, with hardly enough time for personal concerns. Taking a few moments each day, especially when things are hectic and a bit overwhelming, can do wonders to keep you focused and cope with all you need to do.

Here are a few pointers on how you can insert meditation in your daily schedule.

Meditation can be done anywhere.

All you need is a comfortable and quiet place to sit. You don’t have to be sitting cross-legged on the floor. You can sit on a chair or on a sofa, or on the floor with your back against the wall. All you need is a few minutes of uninterrupted alone time.

Take a minute to repeat your mantra.

 Do a full minute repeating a word or phrase that means something to you. Connect to the intention of this word or phrase and reboot your purpose.

Take a few cleansing breaths.

When feeling overwhelmed, pause, close your eyes and take some deep breaths. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth. After a few of these cleansing breaths, return to breathing normally through the nose with your lips gently closed.

Visualize.

Before your day begins, start with a visualization exercise. Think about your desired outcome for the tasks at hand.

Thank that Quiet Time

Aside from meditation, here are some simple ways to help you energize and destress.

• Practice a skill or hobby. It could be calligraphy, lettering, coloring, paper craft, or any other activity that involves your hands and requires a different sort of mental focus.
• Keep a journal. At the end of the day, write down your thoughts or even random things like the weather, your mood, or a food log.
• Transform your evening shower into a meditation moment. Turn off the lights, light a candle, and reward yourself with a cup of tea afterwards

This article was first published in Working Mom April-May 2017 issue

Photo by Natalia Figueredo on Unsplash