13 things you can do to become a more conscious person

The world we live in today, with all the rush of routine and many obligations, has taken away our ability to notice the subtle things that are happening around us and truly appreciate the little moments we should be grateful for.

Mindfulness helps us realize all of this, which makes us calmer and more productive people, as well as improving the way we understand our own emotions.

According to therapists, there are many things that conscious people do differently, and knowing how to acquire these same habits can help us. Here are 13 simple things you can do every day:

1. Not doing multiple tasks at once

We often tend to think that being a multitasker is great and that it helps to do several things at once. But it turns out that multitasking doesn’t exist – we can’t keep our attention on everything all the time and that’s not good for the brain and consumes a lot of energy. The tip is to perform each activity from beginning to end before starting another.

2. Take it easy

In addition to doing each thing at once, it is important to do it slowly. Whether it’s chewing slowly while eating something (without having the TV on or your cell phone in your hands), or listening to calming music as you lie down to sleep after a busy or stressful day, or taking a hot bath that will relax your muscles. All of this will allow for a feeling, albeit a temporary one, of escaping from everyday activities and making you stay in the present moment. It is also important to take a minute out of the day to observe your breath, inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly.

3. Stay away from the phone

Every now and then, turn off your devices and engage with the real world around you. Have a proper conversation with people, look around, notice details of anything that catches your eye. Colors, shapes, textures… Be curious, ask yourself about it all. Conscious people disconnect from technology when they are involved in other activities or in the presence of other people. Having this break between one task and another will certainly increase your productivity.

4. Have a more positive focus

Everyone’s life has positives and negatives, but conscientious people choose to focus on the positives. Being focused on the negative is a normal human tendency, but it’s not very helpful these days and can prevent further steps towards important goals.

5. Pause before reacting

When faced with thoughts, emotions, physical sensations, or difficult situations, it’s important to pause and choose a good response, rather than reacting automatically. We all have habitual automatic reactions, but this is almost never a good thing. Meditating is a tip that can help strengthen this skill. In addition, it is also worth taking a break and taking a few deep breaths.

6. Watch your thoughts

Being aware of your thought patterns, knowing when your mind drifts into negativity or stress, is the key to mindfulness. Conscious people learn to notice when they are holding onto a negative thought and find ways to focus on kindness and gratitude. When the body clings to negative thinking, tension builds up. When the focus is on the positive and the present moment, the body releases hormones that are calming.

7. Take care of yourself

Conscious people make it a point to take care of themselves when they feel something is off. If they notice that they are getting stressed, they are able to intervene with self-care, whether it be a quick meditation session, taking a walk to cool off, or other ways that help you get centered again when needed.

8. Focus on being a good listener

Conscious people are better listeners. It is necessary to increase the ability to pay attention to what another person is saying so that you can remain present when others are talking. Your friends and family will be able to tell the difference.

9. Wake up slowly

Rather than “jumping out” of bed, conscious people take the time to notice how they feel. Stretch your limbs and body, take a nice stretch, feel the support and comfort of your pillow and mattress, tune in to these sensations for a moment before you really start your day.

10. Seek pleasurable activities

Reading and taking a walk are two examples that help to have a more focused mind. Reading, in addition to the knowledge it provides, helps to practice mindfulness while going through all the words. And walking is an opportunity to show gratitude to your body, your movements, as well as appreciating the things around you.

11. Be organized at work and at home

Having your home or workplace cluttered can cause anxiety and stress. Organizing is a simple way to reduce your stress and improve your quality of life. During the organizing process, you are also practicing mindfulness as you consciously observe each object.

12. Set small daily goals

Breaking your goals down into small tasks helps you be more specific about what you aim to achieve on a daily basis. It can be as simple as taking the dog for a walk or cleaning the house. Take the time to acknowledge every goal that has been accomplished and for doing something meaningful for yourself.

13. Do good

Research suggests that humans who do good for others have successful lives and have lower rates of depression and stress. And it can be with simple gestures, like helping your family with household chores or helping an elderly person cross the street. By doing someone a small favor, you increase positive feelings about yourself. It’s also worth giving a genuine compliment once a day, a thank you. It helps you to realize the beauty of the people you love and who are close to you.

It takes constant effort to turn all of this into a daily practice. But by learning these habits from mindful people, you can improve your mental health and even your relationships.