UCanMakeItIfYouTry – Signs You Need More Mindfulness
Do you have your phone in your hand while you eat? Have you found that you still feel exhausted no matter how much you sleep? You may be living a life of overwhelm and in dire need of a considerable slowdown. Check out these tips to find out if you could use some more mindfulness in your life.
1 – Your Life Is on Auto-Pilot
You get up, shower, brush your teeth, get dressed, and head out the door without thinking or focusing. It helps to have mindless routines and rituals, but you gain a lot by slowing down and feeling every sensation occasionally.
2 – Feelings of Stress and Anxiety Are ‘Normal’
Think about when someone asks you, “How are you?” Do you typically answer “busy” or “stressed”? Being in constant motion with few opportunities for reflection and downtime will leave anyone overwhelmed.
3 – Mindless Eating
Regularly eating without enjoying the flavors and textures of the food is often a sign you have too much on your mind. It’s beneficial to stop rushing through your meals and savor each morsel.
4 – No White Space on Your Calendar
A fully packed calendar reveals a life constantly on the go and rarely ready to stop and smell the roses. Scheduling some downtime to rest and relax will lower stress and anxiety levels. Remember, leaving some margin for unexpected events is a good thing.
5 – Focusing and (and Fearing) the Future
Take a moment to stop fretting and focus on what is happening now. The unexpected will happen, but if you always focus on “what might be” instead of “what is,” you need to practice more mindfulness. Tomorrow is a clean slate—try to leave it that way.
6 – You Overthink Every Decision
Your decision-making skills leave a little to be desired because you are too overwhelmed to think clearly and make the right choice. Does this sound like you? It’s probably time to put some mindfulness practices into place.
7 – You Struggle Falling Asleep
Do you have a great bedtime routine but still can’t shut your mind down enough to fall asleep? If so, you might need more mindfulness. It will help you slow your mind and decompress enough to get the rest you need.
8 – You Feel ‘Stuck’
Do you ever feel “stuck” but aren’t quite sure why? You may need more mindfulness in your life. Feeling ‘stuck” is often related to several emotions that mindfulness directly addresses (anxiety, regret, worry, etc.)
9 – You Are Distracted When Talking to Others
Have you noticed that you need people to repeat themselves often? Regularly drifting in and out of one-on-one conversations is a sign that you aren’t living in the moment.
FAST-ACTION STEPS
1 – Put the phone down during your next meal. Instead, chew each bite slowly and enjoy the textures and flavors. Have a conversation with your significant other and talk about your days. Be in the moment.
2 – Practice actively listening. Look the other person in the eyes and ask clarifying questions. Let the conversation flow as it needs to. The goal is to focus on the other person and not on your to-do list.
3 – Sit down with your calendar and look at all you have going on. Choose a time to schedule a date with yourself for some quiet time to relax, read a book, or sit and feel the sun on your face.
- About the Author
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James Donaldson
Former Owner and Director of The Donaldson Clinic (an outpatient physical therapy clinic)
James completed a 20 year professional basketball career in the spring of 2000. James established The Donaldson Clinic in (January 1990 – 2018) (shortly after a career threatening knee injury) with an idea that he would eventually become a physical therapist. He is a strong advocate for Women & Minority owned businesses and is very involved with various Chambers of Commerce. He understands what it takes to sustain a strong business environment that is conducive to the success of businesses overall.
James is a Washington State University graduate (’79). After an outstanding basketball career with WSU, he went on to play professional basketball in the N.B.A. with the Seattle Supersonics, San Diego/L.A. Clippers, Dallas Mavericks, New York Knicks and Utah Jazz. He also played for several in Spain, Italy and Greece of the European Leagues plus toured with The Harlem Globetrotters to wrap up his career. James was an N.B.A. All-Star in 1988 while playing center for the Dallas Mavericks. In 2006, James was inducted into the Pac – 10 Sports Hall of Fame and also the Washington State University Athletic Hall of Fame.
He now devotes the majority of his time to various community activities, and toward the Gift of Life Foundation, speaking on mental health awareness and suicide prevention. James frequently conducts speaking engagements (motivational, inspirational, educational) for organizations, schools, youth groups and is the author of the published “Standing Above the Crowd” of which you can learn more about at www.standingabovethecrowd.com and is available for sale now.
In 2021, James published Celebrating Your Gift of Life: From the Verge of Suicide to a Life of Purpose and Joy. www.celebratingyourgiftoflife.com
James is a 40+ year resident of Seattle. He believes in being a role model of success and professionalism for the scores of young people that he devotes so much of his time to. He currently serves on several Boards and/or committees and is a member of many organizations. (Please see complete listing on back)
James believes in developing relationships that create a “Win – Win” environment for everyone involved, and being the best he can be!
