Daily Mindful Practices to Stay Grounded During Difficult Moments

Amy Taylor July 08, 2015

Some days can be good, others can be outright bad and terrible. It is therefore important to have practices that we can turn to each day to keep us grounded. Such practices are those that restore our calm, focus, energy and optimism.

Below are some powerful mindful practices that you can do each day to cultivate peace of mind, keep your balance, and have a more meaningful life.

Accepting your imperfections.

We are all flawed. But sometimes, we tend to forget this, and instead, opt for perfection in everything we do. So we end up going through enormous pain and suffering. The first step towards embracing your imperfections is to acknowledge them. Always remember that everyone is imperfect. Notice the negative thoughts and critical voices inside you saying that you should do it right or else you are a failure. Instead, intentionally tell yourself that it is fine to make mistakes. Learning to counter those unhelpful thoughts will make it easier for you to accept your imperfections. Love yourself, love your body just the way you are.

Focusing on your breathing.

We all breathe every second of our life. It’s really amusing how we even forget this very wonderful biological process and take it for granted. Bringing awareness to your breath is one great mindful exercise that can do wonders in your mental and emotional health. Mindful breathing is a practice that restores your focus, shifts your mind from unwanted thoughts, and regain peace and clarity. Notice your breath as you stand in line at the grocery store. Notice it while you are at work. Notice it while you enjoy your morning cup of coffee. Notice it as you read this article. Focusing on your breathing allows you to be more mindful of the present moment and shut out the external and internal distractions that stress you.

Being curious as a child.

When you were still little, you were always amazed of everything that’s happening around you. You were amazed on how a caterpillar turns into a lovely, colourful butterfly; how Santa Clause is able to travel the world to send gifts in a single night; and how the rainbow is formed. But as you grow older and acquire more knowledge, you begin to stop wondering and noticing the little things. You get bored. You become indifferent. You become ungrateful. Also, you give more attention to the complications of life and all other things that do not lift your spirits but stress you out instead. Having a beginner’s mind – seeing the world with curious and fresh eyes – is a mindful practise that grownups can greatly benefit from.

Like a child, notice the beauty and wonder in everything – the flowers in your garden, the cute stretching poses of your cats, the touch of the cold water on your skin while you shower, and the gentle kiss of your spouse or your child. Having a beginner’s mind allow us to deal with our everyday routine with a fresh perspective, making us less stressed and less likely to experience burnout. It makes us appreciate life even more. And the more we appreciate life, the happier we become. Being curious as child lets you notice the small things that actually make a big impact on your life, and pay less attention to the ‘big things’ that only bring you temporary joy.

Spending time alone.

There’s a difference between being alone and being lonely. While we need to socialise with other people, we also need some time to be alone and reflect on things. It’s sad but true – when we are not with others we are texting, phoning, or browsing the internet. But spending some time alone can have enormous effect on your mental health. We live in a very hectic society. Spending time alone allows you to gear down, recharge your batteries, and be more ready to outside world once again. It is also a perfect time to reflect, think things through, make a decision, plan, and listen to your body. And while it may not give you the perfect answer to every life’s question, it can certainly give you a much better understanding of how you truly feel about things going on in your life.