Morning Meditation: Daily Tips for Peace & Mindfulness

Pea-ce (noun): freedom from disturbance; tranquility.

Mind-ful-ness (noun): a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations, used as a therapeutic technique.

 

We all know that life can get pretty crazy. Whether it’s whirlwind mornings prepping the kids for school, the chaotic rush of getting to work on time, or simply balancing ourselves on the twisty tightrope of the day–anyone could be forgiven for losing themselves in the hurricane of activity.

Due to the above, many of us find ourselves just about ready to buckle under the pressures of stress, anxiety, overthought, and any number of other mental stressors. As we do with everything else, it becomes important to engage in rituals and routines of self-care, if only to maintain our sanity and the balance needed to successfully carry onward.

If you or someone you know is struggling with draining stressors that can throw us off balance and send us crashing, check out these daily tips for peace and mindfulness that can help relieve existential pressures and rebalance the scale.

1. Early to Rise, Early to Shine

You’ve likely heard this all of your life but may never have given it a fair shot. Rather than set an alarm that wakes you up on the brink of crunchtime, hitting snooze, and starting the day in a panic–train yourself to wake up a bit earlier (30 - 45 minutes).

This may be difficult at first. However, this extra quiet time eases you into the day, rather than jolting you awake in a furied daze. Use this extra time to meditate, exercise, prepare an unrushed breakfast, or simply relax on the couch with a good book, coffee, and a cozy sherpa blanket nestled around your feet.

The idea is to start your morning with yourself in mind, before taking on the world.

2. Clear Your Thoughts

Whether you work from home or commute, chances are that your moments between waking and working are filled with thoughts that stress you out: “Did I remember this?,” “Did I forget that?,” “I wonder how [xyz] will go…” etc, etc, etc. Thoughts like these can tire us out long before the work has even begun.

Instead, try listening to music that you love and let it whisk you away to ambient bliss. Think of fond memories with loved ones, friends, or anything that makes you smile. If all else fails, simply take in the moment and appreciate the present sights, smells, and sounds,

Allowing yourself this bit of peace at the beginning of each day can energize your mind, boost your mood, and get you excited for what’s ahead, instead of draining you with dour hypotheticals, unresolved problems, and worry.

A muddled mind is an unhappy one.

3. Mini Mental Vacations

There are few worse feelings than being trapped under the weight of a day that just won’t let up. From moody co-workers and demanding bosses, too much paperwork, and overlong conference calls–it’s no wonder that many of us find ourselves reaching for the wine at the end of the day.

Though the instinct may be to “take it on by the horns,” the sad fact is that once we’ve reached the point of mental exhaustion, we’re just crawling to the finish line. Rather than allowing this psychological deterioration, steal a minute or two for yourself to do nothing more than decompress.

Feel the subtle buzz in each of your fingertips as you press them one-by-one against your thumb. Breathe in deep and feel your heartbeat's subtle thump beneath your chest. Remind yourself that you’ve been here before and like before, you’ll make it through.

4. Sunshine Reset

When all else fails, there’s nothing like a little sunshine to carry us through dreary moments. Whether it’s your lunch break, water break, or other time you’ve managed to steal away, unlatch from the office desk and low-lit halls in favor of some fresh air.

Not only is it a much needed escape from the hustle and bustle of the whirring work environment, but exposure to sunlight is also thought to stimulate the release of the mood boosting hormone serotonin. This increased serotonin production can help us recenter our minds and survive the day.

5. Eat Well

It’s long been said that we “are what we eat.” Though the phrase may be trivial to some, highly processed foods, fast foods, and careless dietary habits could be directly contributing to our moods. In addition to the generally unhealthy selections at many fast food restaurants, the options are also packed with starches, carbohydrates, and sugars–all which contribute to the notorious afternoon slump.

Instead of these processed fast food options, try opting for mindful menus that take these facts into account. Additionally, heavy lunches can leave us feeling lethargic and unproductive when the lunch break has come to an end, leading to frustration and anxiety.

Many professionals recommend light, well-balanced lunches that boost our energy as opposed to leaving us bloated, uncomfortable, tired, and angry. These preferable alternatives include salad bowls, veggies, dried fruit, herbs, nuts, and organic cheeses.

Try saving the meat and potatoes for dinner time.

6. Simplified Screen Time

How do you unwind after a long, hard day at work? Do you hit the gym to burn away the day's stress? Do you hit the mat for relaxing and mind-freeing yoga? Do you go for a long walk to sort through the mental files and tuck them away for later? Or, are you like most and “unwinding” with the anxiety-inducing glow of your cell phone?

Though it’s impossible for many of us to part ways with our phones at the end of the day, the truth is that much of what we do on them contributes to our anxieties. Whether it’s doom-scrolling the latest news, over-engaging on social media, or mindlessly clicking away at the latest app craze–these tasks do little more than overstimulate and distract us around bedtime–potentially ruining the next day before it’s begun.

Instead, try limiting your screen time to a certain number of hours or even set a “cutoff” time for yourself (preferably an hour or two before bed). Just like rising early, these free moments will give your mind a real opportunity to clear away the stresses of the day. A little distance from the spinning world goes a long way.

7. Create A Peaceful Environment

As we all know every good day begins the night before. Instead of bombarding your senses with the latest Marvel movie, focus on creating a serene environment that will facilitate your natural come down. Play some relaxing ambient music, dim the lights, reduce the noise as much as you can, and keep the temperatures cool. This will signal your mind that the day is done and it’s finally time to relax.

And lastly,

8. Nighttime Melody

What you sleep in is as important as how you sleep. Invest in soft, cozy, high-quality pillowcases, sheets, and blankets that give you peace of mind when you lay your head down for the night.

Keeping ourselves centered and grounded is crucial to daily peace and mindfulness. Hopefully by following some of the tips and tricks above, you’ll discover that your stresses have slowly melted away. Consistency is key, but don’t be too hard on yourself. The positive results will reveal themselves in time.

Which tips and tricks will you add to your daily routine? Tell us all about it on Instagram, Facebook, or Pinterest– where you can also find the latest Great Bay Home tips, news, and exclusive deals. Don’t forget to check us out on Amazon!

As always…