If you’re looking for a way to improve your mental health and feel more present in your life, learning how to be more mindful can literally transform your life from the inside out. It’s all about tapping into ancient wisdom and making it practical for our everyday lives.

At the heart of mindfulness is meditation, which helps us bring calm, quiet, space, and peace into our daily routines. By learning to be more present, we can break free from the destructive autopilot mode and truly connect with ourselves and the world around us.

But guess what? Meditation isn’t the only way to practice mindfulness! Here are ten alternative techniques to try:

1. Listen more, talk less: Give yourself the gift of silence and focus on listening to the world around you. Whether it’s nature, people, or your surroundings, pay attention and appreciate everything.
2. Be an observer: Fully immerse yourself in each moment and experience. Take notice of the smells, sights, people, sounds, and colors around you. This will help you slow down, appreciate life, and become more intuitive.
3. Practice gratitude: Start your day with a moment of gratitude. Think of two things you’re grateful for – they don’t have to be big things. Trust us, a little gratitude can go a long way!
4. Take small steps towards organisation: A tidy space is a calm space. So start small by making your bed, clearing your table, and creating some inner space.
5. Find a new hobby: Try something that requires your complete focus and concentration, like yoga, dance, or chess. It’ll help you escape the constant chatter in your mind and find inner peace.
6. Go to nature: There’s nothing quite like standing at the edge of the world and looking out. It can offer perspective and be so restorative and calming. Remember, this too shall pass.
7. Get in the zone: When you’re fully focused on a task, you lose track of time and become completely immersed. It’s a great feeling!
8. Journal and reflect: Writing is therapeutic. Spend a few minutes every day jotting down your thoughts and feelings or even drawing them. Get it out of your head so you can create space in your mind again.
9. Visualise: If you have a very visual mind, visualization might be the perfect technique for you. It allows you to imagine new paths and experiences, creating a sense of inner peace and calm.
10. Don’t forget to have fun!: Remember, mindfulness isn’t about being perfect. It’s about finding joy and peace in the present moment, no matter what that looks like for you. So don’t forget to have fun and enjoy the journey!