Practising mindfulness allows you to stay focused on what you are doing in the exact moment you are doing it. Being mindful is even more so important in our digital word constantly fanning us with information and distractions; mindfulness can help breed calm and reduce stress when practiced regularly. 

Traditionally mindfulness is usually applied in the form of meditation, however; eating, walking and even working are opportunities to practice these techniques. Here are five ways you can start to understand mindfulness and put it into practice.

Follow your breath 

This is something you have most likely heard before, however, have you actually put it into practice? Try it now. During a busy day, take a few seconds to purposefully follow your breath. Focus your mind on where you feel it most, whether that be in your chest or your stomach and follow three breaths as you take air in and exhale out. Paying special attention to the exhalation will help trigger your body's relaxation response.

Tune into your surroundings 

Take a few moments in the day to reconnect with your environment. Listen to any sounds around you, feel the contact of your body on the chair and floor, also tune into the smell and temperature of the room. This can help take your mind off stressful situations and getting caught up in thought. 

Be tech aware 

If you sit at a computer most of the day, try focusing on your breath and posture. We tend to lean forward and drop our shoulders when we are using a computer, see you just noticed it didn't you? Adopting this posture can tighten our breathing and increase levels of carbon dioxide in the blood therefore increasing stress. 

Break up your day 

Make sure you are taking regular breaks and to help manage your work, focus on one task at a time. You can do this by creating smaller to do lists consisting of three prioritised tasks. 

Have a mindful lunch

Use this time to get away from your desk or work area, go for a walk in a local park or route near you. Listen to the sounds and pay attention to the colours around you and smells. Even eating your lunch can become mindful, notice what you are chewing and tasting, think of the ingredients and where each came from. This can help your mind rest and approach a simple task with curiosity and relaxation.