Mindfulness techniques, how to become aware of your thoughts, feelings and emotions. Take control of your mind. The below mindfulness techniques can be practised as regularly as you feel the need to. Practising mindfulness should not be a chore. However, it should become a habit. The mindfulness techniques will not suit everyone, try each of them and pick the mindfulness techniques that work best for you.

Focus on your Breathing

Enter a quite room free from distractions, close your eyes and begin to focus on your breathing. Concentrate on inhaling, inhale as much air as you can. Hold the air for a couple of seconds before. Exhale slowly allow the air to leave your body. Remember to focus on your breathing, the flow of oxygen in and out of your body.

Start a Gratitude Journal

Start a journal, a journal to write in at the end of each day. In this journal you will write down at the end of each day at least three things you are grateful for. This promotes a positive mental attitude and enables you to be mindful of all things positive in your life.

Wash away negative thoughts

Take time out to relinquish your mind of negative thoughts or events throughout your day which had a negative impact. Do this whilst you wash your face or in the shower. Imagine as though negativity is like dirt on your skin. As you wash yourself imagine the negative thoughts or negative events. As the water runs off you imagine the negativity leaving your body flowing away down the drain. Cleansing your mind allowing positive thoughts to become dominant.

Be Observant

The world is a busy place, its easy to be consumed by the hustle and bustle of life. Take some time out. Stop, and observe your surroundings pay attention to specifics. For example, how many chairs are in the room of a coffee shop you stopped in. By doing this, your mind is lifted away from the noise. It is removed from strenuous or deep thoughts. This gives your mind a chance to escape.

Meditate

Meditation is not for everyone but at least give it a try. Meditation can bring you into a deep mindful state and is possibly one of the strongest mindfulness techniques. Its quite similar to focusing on your breathing with a little extra effort required such as repeatedly saying a word or phrase. Repetition of a positive word or phrase will help reinforce positive thoughts in your mind. A meditation app to assist you through your meditation is Smiling Mind.