Mindful Planning: How to Incorporate Mindfulness into Your Life for Improved Self-Care

For a very long time, we weren’t taught much, if at all, about the importance of self-care. Now more than ever, it’s become crucial for you to explore what makes you feel centered and good in your life, and what you can leave behind. This is an ongoing process, one that cannot be rushed, and finding ways to stay mindful and present throughout it could help you have more peace and joy.

That being said, incorporating a mindfulness practice into your life can take on many different forms. Planning out your days and creating a routine that works for you could be helpful, and if you’re wondering how to get started, here are some tips and tricks to inspire you.

Set a Good Foundation with a Morning Routine

This is a classic and for a good reason. Your mornings are the foundation of your day, and if they’re hectic, spent scrolling, or struggling to get out of bed, it’s going to be hard to find the energy to have a productive day. That’s why it’s always a good idea to start your morning intentionally slowly, giving your body and mind time to wake up.

For some people, meditating early in the morning can do a lot of good, as well as gently waking up and having their morning coffee or tea. Steer clear of phones and laptops for at least an hour after you wake up, to avoid frontloading and the additional stress of seeing negative news as soon as you open your eyes.

Your mindfulness practice doesn’t need to be overly complex, it just needs to work for you. Whether that means soaking in the early morning sun on your balcony, savoring every sip of your coffee, or walking with your dog, discover what allows you to feel present and calm and build from there.

Put Your Plans on Paper

If left unsupervised, your thoughts, plans, and ideas will swirl in your head and bump around, never giving you peace and pulling you away from being present. Knowing how to “tame” your overactive thought patterns is a big step toward mindfulness and a better focus in everything you do.

This is why it’s a great idea to plan out your days the night before and unburden your brain from going over everything that needs to be done tomorrow. Instead of wrestling with endless to-dos, learn how to prioritize your tasks and more importantly, how to stick to that prioritization.

Using custom notebooks with calendar pages can help you keep track of your plans and create a schedule that works for you, and you can even add your daily reflections and affirmations. There are many great journal and planner formats to choose from, so you can customize them to leave all the mental clutter on their pages and go to bed relaxed.

Incorporate Mindfulness Techniques into Your Daily Activities

One of the most precious rules to take with you is to practice mindfulness in everything you do. Be it whipping up a batch of chocolate chip cookies, cleaning your apartment, or talking to your loved ones, you can take a moment to bring yourself to the present.

Let all thoughts fall away, focus on the task you’re doing, and observe what’s happening. This may be difficult at first, especially if you’re only learning to do it, but practice makes perfect. Notice your breath, how your clothes feel on your skin, the smells and colors around you, and even your heartbeat. These simple acts are a magnet for your scattered energy and they’ll bring it back to the present moment, allowing you to cultivate a deeper sense of serenity.

Prioritize Mindful Movement and Eating Habits

When we talk about mindfulness, it’s easy to focus on the spiritual side of that process, but it’s equally important to take good care of your body. Mindful movement and eating habits come into the equation here as both can bring incredible benefits when practiced in the long run.

When we talk about mindful movement, you can incorporate it into your already-existing training, whether it’s yoga, tai chi, or even simple walking meditation. Including these into your routine could help you feel more grounded and mindful even when you’re doing other types of exercises.

You can use the same approach for mindful eating, as we so often eat surrounded by distractions when we eat. Try having dinner without any alcohol and scrolling through social media, or watching a TV show, and instead focusing on chewing slowly and savoring different flavors. You may notice that you’ll enjoy your food much more, and eating in itself can become a gentle meditation instead of a rushed activity. There are many benefits of mindful eating, including better digestion and understanding of fullness cues, which can be a tremendous help in relinquishing emotional eating habits.

Conclusion

Practicing mindfulness in everything you do is no small feat, and it’s something you’ll always work on and develop. The advantages of this practice can’t be overstated – less stress, improved habits, better emotional regulation, a stronger immune system, and more resilience in everything you do are just some of them. Wherever you are in your journey, remember to take your mindfulness practice one day at a time and you’ll see just how much your life can flourish and transform.