REST/RESTORE - GEAR 3
We want to focus on “in-the-moment” mindfulness.
As we all realize, we live in a world where multi-tasking has become a normal way of life. We are convinced that we can do everything at one time, such as talking, texting, online shopping, facebooking, TV watching, eating, drinking, and many other things! What??? We are getting so distracted that auto accidents have risen at an alarming rate, largely due to phone use while driving! We’re getting out-of-control, folks!
Let’s stop this madness, if even for a short time! Let’s really try to practice a little “single tasking” control! Let’s try to get to a place where we actually can “be in the moment”. “Oh, sure,” you say, “that sounds easy enough." In this world we live in, it’s not easy at all! That doesn’t mean it’s not healthy, though.
Try your best, even in small ways, to find a time, a task, or a few minutes when you can really focus on just one thing to its completion. Try to peacefully complete a single task without allowing all the other distractions to enter into the picture. Here are a few ideas!
Visit with a friend, eye-to-eye, while leaving your phone on silent, or leaving it in the car.
Practice really listening to your friend...be fully present...without your mind jumping to all the other things on your “to do” list. Enjoy your friend. Give that friend the respect he/she deserves. You shouldn’t have to say, “huh?” when a friend is speaking. If you are listening and totally present, you will follow and hear what they say, and you can respond in kind. Remember, you are grateful for this friend and his/her valuable time spent with you. The best way to appreciate your friend, is to be fully present in his/her presence! After all, wouldn’t you appreciate the same?
Work in the yard, or in the house, and let there be quiet. Enjoy peaceful silence as you perform your task. Tune into the breeze blowing by you; the birds chattering around you; the crunch of the grass as you walk; the sounds of clocks ticking in your house; the wind chimes singing; the ice maker dumping ice. Tune into your natural environment.
Meditate for a few minutes. Concentrate on your breathing, not the long list of tasks waiting for you when you’re done. If you’re concerned about the time, set an alarm, and let the job of time-keeping be released from your mind.
Don’t be peeking at the clock! Meditating and peeking at the clock equals “multi-tasking”!
Watching a movie with a loved one? Then be fully present! Enjoy the movie! Leave the phone, computer, grocery list, etc. elsewhere. Don’t be distracted while trying to enjoy the movie with your loved one. You won’t follow the movie, your head will be down, and you will NOT be in the moment of sharing time. You will be sharing time, but NOT with your loved one!
Try to concentrate on one task at a time, and see what that feels like! If you are dusting the house, dust it and be done. Don’t lay the duster down to empty the trash, and then on the way to empty the trash start wiping down the counters, etc! Just try, for a little while, to start and finish one thing, and then start and finish another. Slow down the anxiety that comes from a busy body and a busy mind. You just might find this is so appealing that you change your method of tasking in the future!
Continue practicing your deep breathing.
Continue getting out in the sunshine, listening to nature, “tuning in” to sounds around you.
It is important to get restorative sleep:
Turn off computers, cell phones and TV at least 30 minutes before going to bed.
Try to get to bed by 10:00 or 11:00 pm, allowing 7-8 hours of sleep per night.
Try having a decaf or herbal tea, with a little coconut oil or heavy cream in it just before bed.