4 Mindfulness Practices to Renew Focus and Creativity

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With technology becoming more and more integrated into our work and social lives, it’s easy to get caught up in the screen. Some days you find yourself coding or scripting for hours or not being able to stop scrolling through your Instagram feed. Technologies can help develop web pages, create intricate designs, and connect with people all over the world — we are dependent on them for maintaining and increasing productivity.

However, being so entranced by the screens in front of us all day can make us feel tired, fried, and sometimes even uninspired. It’s easy to rely on your phone or computer to get work done, but it’s also important to be able to take a step back and practice mindfulness.

Mindfulness is defined as “a mental state achieved by focusing one’s awareness on the present moment, while calmly acknowledging and accepting one’s feelings, thoughts, and bodily sensations.” It’s an especially great way for anyone to recharge, and turn your attention to the present, rather than just focusing on what you need to get done in the next few days. Some easy mindfulness techniques include:

1. Meditation

Meditation is an ancient practice of clearing one’s mind and focusing their mind in order to reach a calming state. Research has shown that even just 10 minutes of meditation can have a positive impact. You can supplement this with deep breathing techniques or stating a meaningful mantra that directs your goals for the day. Whether you like to sit or just be, meditation is a simple way to settle into your thoughts, focus on your breathing, and just not think much about anything. What better way to inspire creativity than with a clean mental slate?

2. Walking

Another form of meditation is a walking meditation. Not only do regular walks come with a health benefit, but they help us to slow down and unwind from stress. This exercise is just like your normal neighborhood stroll, except that you stay silent and focus your attention on observing and reflecting on your surroundings.

3. Journaling

Keeping a journal (whether it’s the traditional or the bullet kind) is one of the best practices for letting off steam, especially for creatives. However, you can optimize your journal in a mindful way by drawing or writing about things you can see in your surroundings. Doing so establishes a steady train of thought as you focus your mind, and helps you record any spur of the moment ideas you might want to explore at a later time.

4. Working Out

Working out may seem more intensive and high-energy than these previous methods, but exercising forces you to focus solely on the activity you’re doing. Furthermore, you need to focus on your breathing, especially when you are trying to push yourself harder. Like meditation, physical exercise aids your mental clarity and is a good habit to develop for both maximizing your productivity and boosting your mood.

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