Vidyamala’s online course, “Mindfulness for Women: Declutter Your Mind, Simplify Your Life, Find Time to ‘Be’,” begins on March 1.
Do you often find yourself pushing past your limits? Have you ever wondered if you’d accomplish less by taking regular breaks? Many of us live in a pattern called the overactivity-underactivity cycle, where we swing from high energy to complete exhaustion. When we’re tired and unmotivated, we do less. As soon as we feel energetic again, we rush to catch up on everything we’ve fallen behind on, only to overdo it and stress ourselves out. This leads us back to exhaustion, and the cycle repeats itself.
Clearly, living like this isn’t ideal. Instead, try something different—take breaks before you actually need them. This doesn’t mean you need to take the entire afternoon off or plan a two-week vacation. Just incorporate small mindfulness exercises into your routine, like standing up and stretching while working.
Here’s an easy mindfulness exercise you can try throughout your day: focus on the simple act of boiling a kettle. This can help you break the exhausting cycle. Instead of rushing through making your tea or coffee, use this time to experience your body and senses, bringing moments of peace and calm into your day. Try to do this every time you make a cup of tea or coffee.
When you lift the kettle to fill it, notice how heavy it feels. Do you fill it through the spout or do you open the lid? Pay attention to the water flowing from the tap into the kettle. Notice the sound, the smell, and imagine how strong the smell might seem if you had been in a desert for a week. Think about the journey the water took to reach you, from rain falling on distant mountains to making its way through streams and pipelines, maintained by engineers and workers.
Consider everyone involved in bringing electricity and the tea, coffee, or cocoa you’ll use. We are interconnected in many ways, even for something as simple as a cup of tea.
As you place the kettle back and turn it on, be aware of your movements. Did you flick the switch or light the cooker consciously, or did it happen automatically? Listen to the sounds as the kettle heats up. Close your eyes and focus on the sounds. Check in with yourself and notice any feelings of impatience. Where do you feel them in your body? What do they feel like? Does your breath change?
When the kettle is almost boiled, do you wait for it to finish or pour the water early? Try to be patient and wait for the thermostat to click off. Mindfully lift the kettle and pour the water, paying attention to your breath.
Think about other daily activities where you could practice mindfulness. Everyday mindfulness can be just as beneficial as formal meditation sessions. Enjoy your cup of tea, coffee, or cocoa, and take a moment to relax. You’ve earned it.
Vidyamala’s online course, “Mindfulness for Women: Declutter Your Mind, Simplify Your Life, Find Time to ‘Be’,” begins March 1.