Mind Full or Mindful?

published on Greenster

What does your morning say about you?

This is a subject that was on my mind for a while, but especially so today. As I crossed the street on a green light, a car turned right to literally whiz by me, barely 10 seconds away from knocking me over like a bowling pin. It was obvious that the driver wanted to make the green light, but at what cost?  As it is, the street has 5 schools on it and so is a 30km/hr zone, not a 50 or 60 km/hr zone, which is what the average person does – unless the police are posted on a sting operation.

Like the speeder, most people hit the ground running in the morning.  They wake up with fifty different things on their mind, rushing around the house, to errands, and to work. The pace of today is crammed and continuous. When things happen faster than a tweet, it’s easy to get caught up in this go-go-go mindset.  In yoga sutra 1.2, Patanjali says: “yogascittavrttinirodhah” which is understood as “yoga is the ability to direct and focus mental activity.” In other words, Yoga is a practice aimed at taming the mind, which is considered to be a wild animal.

Assuming this racing mind is what’s driving you, you may tip the speed limit, and that has obvious repercussions. If you start your day rushing back and forth, stressed and scattered, what does it do to the afternoon and evening? How does it translate into your body language?  Are you someone who grips the wheel, clenches your teeth, drops your head and shoulders forward…? At any rate, these are habits that wind up causing headaches, stiff necks, back pain and more! The issues are in the tissues! The racing mind never drives the speed limit.

Calm your racing mind: start your mindfulness practice in the morning so that it will set the foundation for your day.

What can you do to stay relaxed while still making it to work on time, getting your workout in, taking the time to kiss your significant other good-bye, walk the dog, get groceries and all that jazz?  Here are a few tips to take you from mind full to mindful in the morning :

1. Wake up a few minutes earlier- not to loud music or CNN but something quieter and melodic.
2. Try a few yoga poses (cat stretch is always a great standby) and/or a short meditation
3. Take a walk outdoors instead of doing cardio at the gym – time permitting… it really changes your perspective
4. Repeat an affirmation, such as;  “ I am calm and centered as I begin this new day”
5. Spend a few quiet moments alone and count your blessings.
6. Start your day by taking a few centering breaths.  Get rhythmic so that your exhale tempo is twice as long as your inhale. You can do this sitting on the edge of your bed right after you wake up.
7. Set your coffee or tea up the night before so it is ready for you to switch on, giving you time to do one of the above.
8. Make a to-do list so you are focused, rather than frantic
9. Eat something healthy for breakfast so you don’t crash and burn.
10. Never leave home angry.  If you’re feeling angry, stop and count to ten. Be kind rather than right and let the issue go, or at least agree to shelve it til later.

Learning how to tune in to your own inner rhythm and relax is a skill set that has side benefits throughout your day.  Having a more inspired mindset and feeling connected to yourself is really powerful awareness.  Maybe you will get into the car, use the headrest, relax your shoulders, turn the ignition, and be driven by an alert relaxation that is an incredibly preventive medicine, not only against speeding tickets, but other health concerns. Leave your full, wild animal mind behind to a morning of peace and mindfulness.

Photo Credit: Ernest