Mindfulness is a word we hear often. So what’s mindfulness? According to Psychology Today, “Mindfulness is a state of active, open attention to the present. This state is described as observing one’s thoughts and feelings without judging them as good or bad.”  Mindfulness is not something that we are not doing already.  We practice mindfulness everyday. It is whatever we are actively giving our attention to, in the present moment.

When you are gardening, walking, laughing with your living ones, those are all mindful living acts.  But there are ways to practice purposeful mindfulness, where you conscious of being fully present and fully experience your life AWAKE!  When we are awake in our lives, we are invested with every breath we take. We slow down and allow ourselves to see, feel, taste, hear, and fully live each moment. 

How do we equip ourselves to be more present? Here are some tools I have in what I like to call my ‘mindfulness toolbox”. I hope few of these suggestions will assist and inspire you to live more of the life you have been giving. When we see all that we truly have our longing for more seems to magically dissolve.

One big tool is activating our feel good hormones, while we practice living mindfully in our day to day lives.

DOPAMINE is a type of neurotransmitter and hormone. It plays a role in man important bodily functions, movement, memory and pleasurable reward and motivation. 

THE REWARD CHEMICAL can be released through these actions:

• COMPLETING A TASK 
• DOING SELF – CARE ACTIVITIES
• CELEBRATING LITTLE WINS
• GETTING ENOUGH SLEEP 

OXYTOCIN is the hormone that helps us bond with loved ones. 

THE LOVE HORMONE has been known to be released through these actions:

• PLAYING WITH YOUR PET
• PLAYING WITH A BABY
• TALKING TO A LOVED ONE
• RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESSES
• GIVING A COMPLIMENT

SEROTONIN regulates mood, happiness and anxiety 

Serotonin is found in your stomach and intestines.  It controls your bowel movement and is known as the social chemical. 
THE MOOD STABILIZER. It is known to be released through these actions:

• SUN EXPOSURE
• MEDITATING
• WALKING IN NATURE
• JOURNALING YOUR THOUGHTS

ENDORPHINS are group of hormones that help to relieve pain, stress and improve mood.  It has been known to be released through these actions:

• EXERCISING
• GETTING A MASSAGE
• EATING A GOOD MEAL
• EATING DARK CHOCOLATE