Start a meeting with 2 minutes of silence, your attention focussed on your breath. Or take a few mindful breaths before starting your exercise routine.

When starting a new activity

Bring your attention to your breath, or the feelings you encounter while washing dishes, eating a meal, walking a dog, etc.

During an activity

Mindlessness, or going on autopilot, can result in missing the good things in life or ignoring important information about relationships or health.The antidote is to practice to pay more careful attention to what is going on around you as well as inside of you.

Mindlessness

When you move from one activity to the next, bring your focus to your breath, or focus on one of your senses.Anytime you feel frustrated or confused, narrow your focus and return awareness to your breath.

The in between times

<li>Allow your mind to wander and gently return awareness to your breath sensation.</li><li>Notice any tendency to be hard on yourself. See this kind of judgment and gently return awareness to your breath.</li><li>Embrace relaxation and being present with awareness.</li><li>Expect to notice more things, including more painful things.</li><li>Practice staying present. Stay open to all the possibilities in each situation.</li><li>Be careful not to try too hard. Experience life directly as it unfolds, paying careful and open-hearted attention.</li>

Tips to practice Mindfulness

Have you ever started eating an ice cream cone, taken a lick or two, then noticed all you had was a sticky napkin in your hand? Or been going somewhere and arrived at your destination only to realize you haven't noticed anything or anyone you met along the way?

Mindlessness

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