Achieving Mindfulness in Everyday Life

There is so much in our daily lives that can leave us feeling overwhelmed and over-committed. The practice of mindfulness may not eliminate these challenges, but it can influence our reaction to them. Goodtherapy.org defines mindfulness as “the basic human ability to be fully present, aware of where we are and what we’re doing, and not overly reactive or overwhelmed by what’s going on around us.”

The first step to mindfulness is to try to understand your stressors. Things like a phone call when you’re working on a deadline, kids screaming while dinner is being completed or a last-minute change to plans that had been set weeks in advance. Once you understand your triggers, work on ways to alleviate the overreaction that these triggers normally produce from you.

Essential oils and aromatherapy can play an important role in the practice of everyday mindfulness. When you pair a pleasant aroma such as strawberries or daisies with a relaxation exercise such as mindful breathing or cognitive awareness, later exposure to that same scent should be enough to trigger a relaxation response.

Certain scents can bring us peace, nostalgia and even a feeling of well-being. Walk by a bakery during the holidays and you’ll be instantly transported back to grandma’s kitchen. Taking this further, when we understand how certain scents can affect us emotionally, we can harness their power. Use a citrus-infused soap in your morning shower to get the day started right. Keep a peppermint oil infuser in your office space for when you need to focus on that big project. Use a coconut air freshener in your car to keep the family calm as you fight the morning carpool.

Ready to start your mindfulness experience? Try incorporating a couple of our Nourish Yourself soaps made with non-toxic, all-natural ingredients and infused with essential oils. They may not stop the chaos that can surround us, but hopefully they can help you get through the day with a smile.