As the cold days and dark nights roll in, it’s an important time of year to practice mindfulness. Mindfulness is the practice of being engaged in the present moment and appreciating one’s surrounding environment. It is a great way to appreciate the small things and winter is the perfect time to work on the practice. Here are three ways you can incorporate mindfulness this winter.
Winter Rituals
You can learn to enjoy the little things this winter by building up a few rituals which mean you have something to look forward to. This could be scheduling some regular time for making a hot cup of tea and nestling into a chair with a good book, or it could be taking a weekly bath with a podcast and a candle. Whatever you choose to practice, rituals of these type can be good for keeping you grounded and on top of your mental health this winter.
Daily Meditation
Meditation is a great way to practice mindfulness and you can schedule a short 10 minute session into your daily routine. Practice exhaling for as long as possible and then inhaling for the same time. After a while, you can start counting your breath and gradually shortening your breath. This is a great way to clear your head and build up your mindfulness muscles.
Journalling
Even if you’re someone who doesn’t get on with winter that well, there will be aspects of it that you will miss in the summer! Write a winter journal of all the little things about winter that you do appreciate. These might be the cosiness of your house after getting in from the cold, the roast dinners that you eat, or the Christmas lights that brighten your journey. There are lots of things to love, it’s just a process of shifting your perspective, and a journal is a great way to do this.