Harvesting Inner Balance: Mindfulness Practices for Busy Professionals

As the days grow shorter and the leaves turn vibrant shades of red and gold, the unmistakable signs of fall are upon us. Fall is a season of change, inspiration, and busy schedules.

Trying to keep up can be overwhelming and stressful if you don’t take steps to protect your calm. Just as farmers harvest their crops, you need to practice mindfulness to reap its benefits for your well-being. When you embrace mindfulness, you can find greater ease and balance in the middle of fall’s whirlwind of demands.

Mindfulness takes you out of autopilot and allows you to be fully aware of what is happening internally and externally, without judgment. When you wake up to the world, you develop a heightened awareness of your thoughts, emotions, and sensations. Adding mindfulness to your daily routine can lead to better well-being by managing stress and regulating emotions.

Harvest inner balance during the busy fall season, by:

Meditating: Incorporate a short meditation into your day. And when I say short, I mean short. Taking one to two minutes each day can make a tremendous difference. Meditation is available to you in a variety of forms. You can sit, stand, or walk to meditate. The keys to meditation are focusing on a point (breath, sound, sensation) and releasing thoughts without judgment. Meditation sets a positive tone for the day and can bring you back from the edge, which helps you build resilience to stress.

Eat Mindfully: Fall is what I like to call “casserole season” because of the hearty meals and comfort foods you can enjoy. Mindful eating can help you savor each bite and experience the amazing foods fall offers. Don’t use your fork like the shovel you use to pick up leaves. Set it down after each bite and engage your senses to notice the flavors, textures, and aromas of your food. Mindful eating enhances your enjoyment of each meal and promotes healthier eating habits.

Connect with Nature: Stepping into nature makes a world of difference for your physical and mental health. Fall offers the opportunity to engage all of your senses while experiencing the outdoors. The crisp fall air, colorful landscapes, crunching leaves, and amazing smells make spending time in nature a joyous occasion. Silence your cell phone and immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of the season.

Be Grateful: Making gratitude a part of your day can truly help you shift your mindset. You can take time to focus on what is going right in your life in the morning, before bed, or anytime throughout the day. Whether it is making a list or appreciating events during the day, gratitude can shift your focus from scarcity to abundance in a few brief moments.

Reflect at Night: Before bedtime, take time to reflect on your day with kindness and curiosity. You can learn and grow by acknowledging both the challenges and successes of your day. Looking inward helps you to be more self-aware. Reflection, not judgement, helps you to gain insights into your thoughts and emotions, leading to personal growth.

Step Away from Your Devices: I know it is difficult. My cell phone can appear to be one with my hand. However, this fall, consider taking a break from the constant stream of information and notifications on your devices. If needed, start small. Consider not touching your phone until after are out of bed, leave it in another room during dinner, or set it down an hour before going to bed. When you disconnect during the day, you find opportunities to reconnect, lower stress, and help your brain prepare for a good night’s sleep.

Listen Mindfully: How closely do you actually listen when someone is talking? Are you thinking about what to say next or maybe planning your grocery list? Practicing mindful listening by giving your full attention to the speaker can make an enormous difference between you and the speaker. When you are fully engaged in a conversation, you learn more, experience better outcomes, and make the other person feel heard. Take time this fall to not just hear what is being said to you, but to actually listen with your ears and eyes. You will be amazed at what you learn and experience.

Fall is a reminder that you reap what you sow. When you incorporate mindfulness into your life, you set yourself up to harvest inner balance so you can better deal with fall’s hectic schedules. Just as the harvest is a time of abundance, mindfulness can help you discover the richness of inner peace, even in the busiest of seasons. So, take a moment to pause, breathe, and savor the gifts of mindfulness this fall. Your inner harvest awaits.

#Calm #Mindfulness #Mindset #Professionals